Department for Transport

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Working Hours

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing (a) the application of the working time directive and (b) drivers' hours regulations in the context of time travelling with a vehicle on a short ferry crossing being interpreted as working time.

Trudy Harrison: The retained EU drivers’ hours rules (Regulation (EC) 561/2006) and the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 are based on well-established international rules that ensure drivers of in scope vehicles are not required to drive and work excessively long hours. We have no current plans to review these rules in the context of short ferry crossings. Currently, drivers on a short ferry crossing can record any time where they are not doing any work as either a ‘break period’ or a ‘period of availability’. The times of breaks, rests, and periods of availability are not included in the calculation of working time.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Working Hours

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing (a) the application of the working time directive and (b) drivers' hours regulations for circumstances in which drivers are in remote areas but able to conclude their journey within a further short time window.

Trudy Harrison: The retained EU drivers’ hours rules (Regulation (EC) 561/2006) and the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 are based on well-established international rules that ensure drivers of in scope vehicles are not required to drive and work excessively long hours. We have no current plans to review these rules to cover circumstances in which drivers are travelling in remote areas. Drivers and operators should plan journeys to ensure that they can be completed within the rules, including making allowances for required rest periods and typical traffic. We understand that drivers may be subject to unforeseeable events; in such circumstances, as long as road safety is not jeopardised, the retained EU drivers’ hours rules do permit a driver to temporarily extend their driving time to reach a suitable stopping place, to the extent necessary to ensure the safety of persons, of the vehicle or its load. In addition, changes to the retained EU drivers’ hours rules, which came into force in August 2020, now allow drivers, in exceptional circumstances, to extend their driving time up to two hours to reach their place of work or their home to take their weekly rest, again as long as road safety is not jeopardised. Drivers must note all the reasons for doing so on the back of their tachograph record sheets. The retained EU drivers’ hours rules already provide plenty of flexibility for drivers and also allow the Department to make temporary relaxations in urgent and exceptional circumstances.

Department for Transport: Jaguar Land Rover

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the seven vehicles procured by his Department from Jaguar Land Rover under the terms of Contract Reference TRSS10158 on 10 September 2021 are powered.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The intended vehicles to be procured from Jaguar Land Rover under the terms of Contract Reference TRSS10158 are petrol plug-in hybrid models that are classified as Ultra Low Emission Vehicles emitting 44g/km of CO2.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Scotland

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the operation and uptake of Road to Logistics in Scotland.

Trudy Harrison: Road to Logistics is working with two hauliers based in Scotland and has identified candidates to undertake the training.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Young People

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage young people in the motor industry to apply and train for HGV licenses.

Trudy Harrison: To attract young people to the logistics profession, the Department for Transport has provided grant funding to Think Logistics. They are working with Career Ready to change the perception of the industry and highlight the many career opportunities that exist. Paid internships are promoted that are able to reach a wide range of young people that enables them to gain a better understanding of the work of the logistics sector.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Facilities

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to encourage more rest stop facilities to be made available for lorry drivers on the UK's road freight transport routes; and if he will examine all options for what more could be done to increase the number of facilities available to those drivers.

Trudy Harrison: The Government recognises the need to ensure hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities. Building on a 2020 review, my Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of safe, secure and high-quality lorry parking. This includes the sharing of information and good practice, such as overcoming planning barriers to the development of lorry parks, improving standards of security / facilities to improve driver welfare and exploring the benefits of innovation and new technology.

Large Goods Vehicles: Taxation

Mr Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much the HGV Road User Levy has raised from foreign HGVs since its introduction.

Trudy Harrison: Since 2014, all Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) weighing more than 12 tonnes pay a levy to use United Kingdom roads. While this levy has been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is responsible for a drop in income since August 2020, £306 million has been raised by foreign registered vehicles. A breakdown of foreign registered vehicle revenue per year is set out below:  YearForeign registered vehicles (Millions)2014/15402015/16492016/17542017/18502018/19512019/20452020/2117

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Vacancies

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has contingencies in place to ensure that HGV drivers are available to deliver school meals during the period of driver shortages and supply chain issues.

Trudy Harrison: The Department for Transport is committed to finding solutions to mitigate the effects of the HGV driver shortage and has already taken 25 proactive actions in recent weeks.The Government routinely considers contingency arrangements and expects schools and catering companies supplying them to do the same.

Driving Tests: Coronavirus

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the validity period for DVSA car theory tests for those who have been unable to take their practical test due to the longer waiting times owing to the covid-19 restrictions.

Trudy Harrison: The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.

Hammersmith Bridge

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the status is of the memorandum of understanding between his Department and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in respect of Hammersmith Bridge.

Trudy Harrison: The Government has set out a clear commitment to support the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) in finding a long-term solution for Hammersmith Bridge, as agreed in the Transport for London (TfL) Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement of 1 June 2021. As a condition of this Agreement, the Department for Transport, TfL and LBHF are finalising a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This will set out the agreed next steps and the clear roles and responsibilities for each party.

Travel Restrictions: Ecuador

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason Ecuador remains on the covid-19 red list in the context of the low covid-19 infection rates and successful vaccination programme in that country.

Robert Courts: Ecuador has been on the red list since 15 January 2021 due to the ongoing presence of variants of concern. The data for all countries and territories will be kept under regular review. Decisions on red country assignment and associated border measures will continue to be taken by Ministers, who take into account the JBC risk assessments alongside wider public health factors.Government scientists will continue to engage with countries still on the red list and keep the evidence on variants of concern, especially Lambda and Mu, under close review in order to ensure the UK’s approach remains proportionate. The Government will not hesitate to take action where a country’s epidemiological picture changes.

Network Rail: Scotland

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from the Scottish Government on the devolution of Network Rail.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Under current rail legislation, Scottish Ministers are responsible for setting the strategy for rail in Scotland. Scottish Ministers have well established relationships with Network Rail at a regional level and with the UK executive team and hold regular discussions. The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail includes a commitment to work with Transport Scotland to enable the railway in Scotland to benefit from the reforms on the wider network of Great Britain.

Travel Restrictions: Botswana

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the Government does not recognise Botswana as having an approved proof of covid-19 vaccination.

Robert Courts: We are taking a phased approach to the rollout of our inbound vaccination programme to other countries and territories to reopen travel in a safe and sustainable way. Vaccine certification between countries and territories varies considerably. We need to ensure that certificates/apps meet our published minimum requirements on content, that carriers are clear about the certification we shall accept, and that we are taking into account public health and wider considerations. Our policy to date has not been to exclude any countries or territories, but rather to work internationally as we continue to explore expanding the policy to more countries and territories where it is safe to do so.

Aviation: Exhaust Emissions

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help support the UK aviation industry in reaching their decarbonisation targets of net zero emissions by 2050.

Robert Courts: We have set a clear policy framework through the recently published Net Zero Strategy, the Jet Zero Consultation and the SAF mandate consultation; have ensured government and industry collaboration through the Jet Zero Council and other forums; are providing £1.95 billion funding over 13 years (2013-2026) to support the development of zero emission technologies through the Aerospace Technology Institute; and recently made a commitment to provide £180 million to support the development of UK sustainable aviation fuel production in the UK, which builds on the progress made through previous advanced fuels competition including the £15 million Green Fuels, Green Skies competition and the £22 million Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition. The Jet Zero Consultation closed on 8 September, and we are working to analyse responses to help shape our final Jet Zero Strategy to be published early next year.

Aviation: Crew

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on addressing concerns raised by the British Airline Pilots Association on the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on flight crews holding UK licences.

Robert Courts: The Secretary of State regularly meets with stakeholders in the sector and listens to the issues raised. Ministers have also replied to correspondence from BALPA on concerns about the recognition of UK licences and employment opportunities for pilots following EU Exit. Most recently, the Secretary of State for Transport responded to a correspondence from BALPA on 11th October. Advice given to BALPA includes referring to the Aviation Skills Retention Platform which was launched by the Department to support workers in the sector.

Buses: Driving

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the recruitment and retention of adequate numbers of bus drivers nationally.

Trudy Harrison: My Department is working closely with industry to continuously monitor the driver shortage situation in order to better understand the extent of the problem and the challenges causing this issue. The Government is committed to encouraging new entrants to the bus driving profession and reducing barriers to entry. There is regular engagement within my Department, across Government and with industry, to proactively take measures to alleviate the situation, including ways to boost recruitment within the sector.There are no delays for bus and HGV provisional driving licence applications, which are currently being issued in around five days – these applications are being prioritised and further work is being done to speed up processes even further.

Buses: Driving

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people completed PCV training in 2020.

Trudy Harrison: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold the data on how many people completed their passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) training in 2020. PCV training is delivered by third-party training providers.

Cars: Ownership

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the recommendations of the Institute for Public Policy Research's report, entitled All aboard: a plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel, published in June 2021, on (a) commitments to peak car ownership by 2030 and (b) setting targets for the UK's car fleet by 2050.

Trudy Harrison: In July the Government published its transport decarbonisation plan which sets an ambitious, but credible pathway to net zero emissions from transport by 2050.The plan sets out the measures that will be taken to accelerate modal shift to public and active travel, reducing the reliance on cars. We have also committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and by 2035 all new cars sold must be zero emission capable.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with local councils on electric charging points for electric cars.

Trudy Harrison: Ministers have regularly engaged with local authorities (LAs) regarding electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The Secretary of State for Transport wrote to the CEOs of all UK LAs in February to update them on the funding available to them. My predecessor wrote to the Chief Executives and Leaders of 20 councils that had a lower than average chargepoint per head of population to encourage them to engage with OZEV officials. Since this letter, my officials have hosted several meetings with members of these councils, providing support and advice. My officials from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) have a programme of activities to engage and support LAs, to help mainstream local capability and leadership and ensure LAs are working to support chargepoint rollout in their areas. The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) is available to all UK local authorities to provide public chargepoints for their residents without access to private parking. This year, £20 million is available under the scheme to ensure more local authorities and residents can benefit. The Scheme is administered on the Department’s behalf by Energy Saving Trust, who offer expert advice and support to local authorities throughout the application process. Energy Saving Trust, in partnership with the OZEV, also hosts a library of webinars and guidance documents focussing on the challenges that authorities face when installing charging infrastructure, while promoting the available funding. This includes engagement with councils in the Devolved Administrations. For example, in May 2021, Energy Saving Trust presented to Northern Irish council officers about the ORCS, with OZEV officials present to answer questions.

Biofuels

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his planned timetable is for allocating additional funding to the devolved nations in order to have greener petrol across the UK.

Trudy Harrison: In September, E10 petrol (petrol containing up to 10% bioethanol) was introduced as the standard petrol across Great Britain. The roll-out of this greener petrol will reduce carbon emissions associated with petrol vehicles and help us meet climate change targets. Subject to legislative approval E10 petrol will be introduced in Northern Ireland as soon as possible in 2022. There is no additional allocation of funding to devolved nations, the Department is providing appropriate support directly to petrol retailers and connected stakeholders. Further to extensive consultation with industry the Government has chosen the least burdensome option of introducing E10 in the UK, one which avoids significant infrastructure changes. As part of the public information campaign supporting the introduction of E10 in Great Britain, the Department has made available publicity materials to assist retailers inform the public of the changes and ensure costs on the sector are minimised. A similar approach is planned for the introduction of E10 in Northern Ireland, and the UK Government will procure media advertising and provide support for retailers to inform motorists of the change.

Motor Vehicles: Noise

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government plans to take to improve enforcement of noise limit regulations for vehicles.

Trudy Harrison: On 2nd August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement of vehicle noise requirements using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to be used for enforcement, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. The Department intends to conduct further research into the use of acoustic cameras with the aim of enabling the wider use of the technology for the enforcement of vehicle noise requirements.

Road Traffic Offences

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to carry out a review of road traffic offences.

Trudy Harrison: The Government takes road safety seriously and keeps the law under regular review. We do not currently have any plans to conduct a full review of all driving offences and penalties.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Environment Protection: Employment

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that (a) have been and (b) will be created as a result of (a) UK private investment, (b) Government investment and (c) inward investment in the Government’s strategy to develop greener buildings between November 2020 and November 2030.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that (a) have been and (b) will be retained as a result of (a) UK private investment, (b) Government investment and (c) inward investment in the Government’s strategy to develop greener buildings between November 2020 and November 2030.

Greg Hands: Around 56,00 high quality green jobs have been secured and created across the UK since November 2020. The policies and proposals announced in the Net Zero Strategy could also support up to 440,000 jobs in 2030 across power, fuel supply and hydrogen, industry, heat and buildings, transport, and natural resources.

Nuclear Power Stations: Wales

Virginia Crosbie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits that a national thermal hydraulics facility can play in supporting the development and deployment of (a) small modular reactors and (b) advanced modular reactors at Wylfa and other sites in Wales.

Greg Hands: The Department is aware of the potential benefits that could be brought by having a National Thermal Hydraulic Facility close to potential sites for new nuclear deployment and is considering those as part of the business case for such a facility.

Environment Protection: Employment

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Prime Minister’s Office’s press release of 15 October 2021, titled Prime Minister's Ten Point Plan kickstarts green investment boom, what the evidential basis is for the statement that at least 56,000 jobs have been secured in the UK’s clean industries since the publication of that ten point plan.

Greg Hands: Government analysis shows that around 56,000 green jobs have been secured across the UK since November 2020, when the Ten Point Plan was launched. This figure is broken by down by the relevant points of the Ten Point Plan as follows:Point 1: Advancing Offshore Wind: 3,600 jobsSix manufacturers have already announced major investments in the UK offshore wind sector, supported by Government investment schemes, and delivering up to 3,600 jobs by 2030.Point 4: Accelerating the Shift to Zero Emission Vehicles: 7,150 jobsAuto Transformation Fund. In July, funding was announced for the UK's first large-scale gigafactory - the investor has committed to supporting 1,000 jobs.Wider automotive projects have secured an additional 950 jobs, towards a total of 1,950 jobs to be realised during the period to 2025/26.According to companies participating in the Advanced Propulsion Centre R&D competition, projects agreed this year will support up to 5,200 direct jobs.Point 7: Greener Buildings: 45,000 jobs An estimated 45,000 jobs have been supported in greener buildings in the first year since the Ten Point Plan was launched, based on the deployment of Government funded building decarbonisation schemes.Point 9: Protecting Our Natural Environment: 850 jobs An estimated 850 jobs supported in environmental protection and enhancement, including flood defences (500 jobs) and from Green Recovery Challenge Fund (350 jobs).

Natural Gas

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to allow more UK gas production as the transition fuel in the energy transition.

Greg Hands: The UK oil and gas sector has a critical role in maintaining the country’s energy security. Home-grown supplies still met approximately 46 per cent of the UK’s domestic gas consumption in 2019. However, the UK Continental Shelf is a mature basin and projections for production show a steady decline, even with new investment. In the North Sea Transition Deal, the Government set out a position of conditional support for ongoing domestic production, in recognition of the important role that gas in particular will play as the economy transitions from one based on fossil fuels towards one based on clean energy through our commitment to net zero. It is the role of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) to ensure that the sector continues to develop our North Sea assets cost-effectively and responsibly, while also supporting our net zero goals through the revised OGA Strategy published earlier this year.

Natural Gas

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of UK producing gas domestically rather than relying on imports, given the fluctuations of gas spot market prices.

Greg Hands: The UK’s largest single source of gas continues to be the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), accounting for around 48% of total supply in 2020. Remaining supply for 2020 was sourced via Norway (29%), LNG (22%), and interconnection to Europe (2%). Gas is traded in global markets so the biggest factors influencing prices are global trends in supply and demand. Many of the factors affecting the spikes we have seen in wholesale gas prices are attributable to international activity extending beyond the UK’s domestic production. Ultimately, the UK’s exposure to volatile gas prices underscores the importance of the Government’s plan to build a strong, home-grown renewable energy sector to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to his Answer of 13 July 2021 to Question 29853, on Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, when he plans to publish the Government’s evaluation of the covid-19 loan guarantee schemes.

Paul Scully: The British Business Bank has commissioned a multi-year evaluation of the Covid-19 loan schemes, comprising process, impact and economic evaluations. Reports will be published in due course in line with usual government guidelines. The exact timings will depend on how the evaluation progresses. It is expected that results will be published early in each year from 2022 to 2024.

Wind Power

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to keep in reserve retired gas and coal power stations as a supplementary provision if there are periods of no wind power.

Greg Hands: The National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) has the tools it needs to operate the electricity system reliably, including during periods of low wind. The Capacity Market is the government’s main mechanism for ensuring security of electricity supply. Through competitive, technology-neutral auctions, it provides all forms of capacity with the right incentives to be on the system and to deliver capacity when needed by increasing generation or by turning down their electricity demand. The volume of capacity procured at these auctions is set based on advice from NGESO, who model a wide range of scenarios – including weather conditions, variability in renewable output, and levels of electricity demand – when producing their advice. The capacity auctions held to date have secured the majority of GB’s capacity needs to meet the forecast peak demand out to 2024/25 at a low cost.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Biofuels

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to convert more coal-fired stations to biomass energy production facilities to contribute to the UK's power needs.

Greg Hands: The Government has no plans to convert more coal fired power stations to biomass, and new coal-to-biomass conversions are no longer supported by government under the Contracts for Difference scheme.

Electricity Generation: Fees and Charges

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets on its internal review of Transmission Network Use of System charges.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timeframe is for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to conclude its internal review of Transmission Network Use of System charges.

Greg Hands: BEIS officials are engaging with Ofgem on its call for evidence on possible transmission charging reforms, to understand how any decisions can help support delivery of a secure, net zero energy system at lowest cost to consumers. The call for evidence was published on 1 October 2021, and is available at: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/tnuos-reform-call-evidence. It runs until 12 November 2021.

Carbon Dioxide: Pollution Control

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the UK.

Greg Hands: The Government’s landmark Net Zero Strategy, published on October 19, will drive forward our ambition to reach net zero and level up the UK by supporting up to 190,000 jobs in the middle of the 2020s and up to 440,000 jobs in 2030. Building on my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, £26 billion of government capital investment has been mobilised for the green industrial revolution. The Strategy provides an ambitious package of policies sets out how we meet Carbon Budgets 4, 5, and our NDC, and puts us on the path for Carbon Budget 6 – and ultimately on course for net zero by 2050.

Energy Supply: Poverty

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increases in energy bills in 2021 on child poverty.

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of anticipated increases in domestic energy bills over the next 12 months on child poverty.

Greg Hands: The energy price cap will save 15 million families up to £100 on their energy bills this winter. The Government supports low-income and fuel poor households with their energy bills through the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments. In addition, the Government has announced an extra £500 million for local authorities through the new Household Support Fund to provide help to millions of the most in need.

Carbon Capture and Storage: Grants

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Written Statement of 19 October 2021, HCWS325, when he plans to publish the (a) assessment and scoring criteria for the carbon capture, usage and storage bids and (b) award process for the Track 1 clusters.

Greg Hands: When the Government launched the CCUS Cluster Sequencing process in May this year, full details were published of both the criteria against which cluster submissions would be assessed, and the process by which these criteria would be applied by our assessors. These evaluation criteria were, in order of weighting:- Deliverability (30%)- Emissions Reduction Potential (25%)- Economic Benefits (20%)- Cost Considerations (15%)- Learning and Innovation (10%) This information is available on gov.uk in the Cluster Sequencing Phase-1 launch document (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cluster-sequencing-for-carbon-capture-usage-and-storage-ccus-deployment-phase-1-expressions-of-interest).

Nuclear Power: Investment

Mr Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to bring at least one large-scale nuclear project to a final investment decision during the course of this Parliament.

Greg Hands: In order to facilitate a final investment decision on at least one new large-scale nuclear project this Parliament, we introduced the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill on 26 October, which will establish the RAB as a funding option for new nuclear projects, as well as implement further measures to enable private investment in this sector. The RAB model could reduce the cost of building and financing new nuclear power plants, helping to unlock private investment into these projects and saving consumers money on their bills.

Nuclear Power: Investment

Mr Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of bringing at least one large-scale nuclear reactor to final investment decision on (a) the future energy security of the UK and (b) the long-term stability of energy prices.

Greg Hands: New nuclear power has a key role to play as the Government works to reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and our exposure to volatile global gas prices. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Net Zero Strategy published on 19 October committed to legislating for a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding model for new nuclear projects to facilitate a final investment decision this Parliament on one large scale nuclear plant. On 26 October, the Government introduced the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill. The RAB model could reduce the cost of financing new nuclear power plants, saving the average dual fuel household more than £10 per year throughout the life of each nuclear power station, which can operate for 60 years. In December 2020, the Government announced the start of formal negotiations on Sizewell C and those negotiations are ongoing.

Nuclear Power: USA

Mr Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what further plans he has for cooperation with the US on the development of nuclear power capabilities following the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Washington.

Greg Hands: The United States is our closest strategic partner and we regularly discuss clean energy policy with them, including on nuclear energy.

Heat Pumps: Publicity

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to promote energy efficient heat pump systems to (a) domestic and (b) commercial markets.

Greg Hands: Through its Heat and Buildings Strategy the Government has set out a policy framework to support the development of the heat pump market towards 600,000 installations per year by 2028. The Government has announced grants of up to £6,000 for installing heat pumps in homes and small commercial properties, through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Support for heat pumps in domestic properties is also available via the Home Upgrade Grant and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The Government is also consulting on a on a new market-based incentive for heating system manufacturers to be introduced from 2024 and options to phase out new installations of fossil fuel heating in off-gas grid non-domestic buildings from 2024 and homes from 2026.

Wind Power: Employment

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the number of jobs that (a) have been and (b) will be retained as a result of (i) UK private, (ii) Government and (iii) inward investment as part of the Government's plans to advance offshore wind between November 2020 and November 2030.

Greg Hands: Investment by the Government as part of plans to Build Back Greener by making the UK a world leader in wind energy, including support for manufacturing infrastructure, is directly supporting the retention of green jobs in the UK. Smulders Projects UK, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and JDR Cables have recently announced major investments in the UK offshore wind sector that will safeguard jobs. The offshore wind sector currently employs around 7,200 people and supports a similar number of indirect jobs. Government schemes supporting renewables deployment in the UK, such as Contracts for Difference, and Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support Scheme, support investment and employment in the sector. This could support around 30,000 jobs by 2030.

Electricity Interconnectors

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what criteria were used to determine that the proposed AQUIND interconnector would be made a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

Greg Hands: A direction under Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 was granted for the UK elements of the proposed AQUIND Interconnector on 30 July 2018. This directed that the project should be treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project for which development consent is required. The Section 35 Direction sets out the reasoning for the decision. That document is publicly available on gov.uk and can be found using the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742186/Section35DirectionAquindInterconnector.pdf.

Water Power

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent progress the Government has made on considering responses to the Government's consultation on the potential of marine energy projects, which concluded on 30 September 2020.

Greg Hands: The Government is analysing the evidence received and will respond in due course.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an estimate of the number of additional public facing charging points that will be required for electric vehicles in the next eight years.

Greg Hands: Building on the £1.9bn from Spending Review 2020, the Government has committed an additional £620m to support the transition to electric vehicles. The additional funding will support the rollout of charging infrastructure, with a particular focus on local on street residential charging, and targeted plug-in vehicle grants. Government and industry have supported the installation of almost 26,000 publicly available charging devices. This includes more than 4,900 rapid devices – one of the largest networks in Europe. Later this year Government will publish an EV Infrastructure Strategy to set out the vision and action plan for charging infrastructure rollout needed to achieve the 2030/35 phase out successfully. It will also discuss possible ranges for the numbers of chargepoints required, recognising that charging habits are likely to evolve over time, and that needs will differ between local areas.

Energy Supply: Prices

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) Ofgem, (b) the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA) and (c) Competition and Markets Authority to help ensure protections for consumers off the gas grid from increases in gas prices.

Greg Hands: Ministers and officials have been in close and regular discussions with Ofgem on gas prices, and Ofgem are keeping their board, GEMA, informed. BEIS and Ofgem officials also maintain regular contact with the CMA on energy markets. If residents are off the gas grid, but on a default tariff for their electricity only supply, they will still be protected by the Energy Price Cap. The Energy Price Cap saves 15 million households on default tariffs up to £100 a year on average. The level of the price cap is set by Ofgem, the independent regulator. Providing they are eligible households will also be able to access Warm Home Discount which provides £140 off energy bills over winter. Other energy bill support is available to qualifying households through the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment. We recognise that some people continue to require extra support, which is why we have introduced a £421 million Household Support Fund to help vulnerable people in England with essential household costs over the winter as the economy recovers.

Vectura: Life Sciences

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether Vectura were included in discussions relating to development of the Government’s Life Sciences Vision.

George Freeman: Vectura was not involved in discussions relating to the development of the Life Sciences Vision.

Members: Correspondence

Robert Largan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to respond to the enquiry from the hon. Member for High Peak of 12 August 2021, reference RL25724.

George Freeman: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change wrote to the hon. Member on 21 October, about climate change and the COP26 summit.

Attorney General

Crown Prosecution Service: Staff

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Attorney General, how many staff were employed in rape and serious sexual offences units in each (a) CPS area and (b) year since 2010.

Alex Chalk: Each of the 14 CPS Areas has a dedicated RASSO Unit, staffed by specially trained prosecutors and other operational delivery staff, equipped to deal with the complexities of rape cases. The below data shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed in each CPS RASSO Unit, which were established in 2016, as of 31 March for each year from 2017. The figures are set out in decimals as there are many part-time members of staff who work in RASSO Units. CPS Areas are not uniform in size and as such there is a disparity in the staffing levels between each Area. Furthermore, case numbers and types of case in RASSO Units may vary from year to year and across Areas. It is also important to note that CPS Areas have the flexibility to move staff between teams to support local needs. While the below figures show the number of FTE staff employed in each CPS RASSO Unit in each year, they do not include members of staff who have been moved to teams in other Areas to support local needsCPS Area20172018201920202021Cymru Wales27.0124.6421.6420.0618.97East Midlands20.0220.5422.1920.1423.95East of England22.2923.8523.7019.1919.65London North*31.7631.7524.7626.11London South*38.0236.3333.0134.14Merseyside and Cheshire19.9821.8020.9419.9519.48North East27.0028.3128.6826.7024.49North West44.5750.5347.8745.8242.26South East27.9625.1524..6420.9119.21South West23.2921.9020.0218.0816.68Thames and Chiltern19.8021.8220.0227.3324.14Wessex26.2621.3022.5218.9819.33West Midlands34.3833.6935.7436.5134.05Yorkshire and Humberside37.4534.8035.0632.4835.95*Prior to 2017, London South and London North operated as a single CPS Area, and the combined number of FTE staff in the pan-London RASSO Unit for 2017 was 66.23.

Department of Health and Social Care

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will set out the positions the Government will advance at Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP9) on (a) e-cigarettes, (b) heated tobacco and (c) snus.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Eating Disorders: Mental Health Services

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of variation in spending per capita on children and young people’s community eating disorder services in (a) 2019-20 and (b) 2020-21.

Gillian Keegan: We have made no such assessment. However, NHS England and NHS Improvement report actual spend on children and young people’s eating disorder services quarterly and annually at national, regional and clinical commissioning groups levels through the NHS Mental Health Dashboard, which is available at the following link: www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-mental-health-dashboard/

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) clinical staff were in post by CAMHS Trust in (a) London and (b) England for each of the last ten years.

Gillian Keegan: The information is not held in the format requested. NHS Digital publishes quarterly data on the mental health workforce within the National Health Service. However, this data does not identify those staff providing child and adolescent mental health services.

General Practitioners: Recruitment

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help increase the number of general practitioners in practice.

Maria Caulfield: NHS England and NHS Improvement and Health Education England are working with the profession to increase the general practice workforce in England. This includes measures to boost recruitment, address the reasons why doctors leave the profession and encourage them to return to practice.The updated GP Contract Framework announced a number of new retention schemes alongside continued support for existing schemes for the general practice workforce. These schemes include the GP Retention Scheme, the International Induction Programme, the Return to Practice Programme, the Fellowship Programme, the New to Partnership Payment and Supporting Mentors Scheme. In 2020, 3,793 doctors commenced training as general practitioners and we are committed to increasing the number of training places available to 4,000 a year.

General Practitioners: Buckinghamshire

Sarah Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much financial support he has provided to GP practices in Buckinghamshire to help meet their core service demand.

Maria Caulfield: Total funding of £39.9 million has been allocated to general practitioner services in Buckinghamshire between 1 April to 30 September 2021, in addition to £1.1 million from the COVID-19 Capacity Extension Fund. Primary care services have also been able to reclaim expenditures made directly as a result of the pandemic. In Buckinghamshire, so far reimbursements have amounted to a total of just over £0.5 million.On 14 October we announced a new £250 million Winter Access Fund to patients with urgent care needs to access the appropriate services taking account of their preferences, instead of going to hospital. The allocation for Buckinghamshire is to be determined by NHS England.

Surgical Mesh Implants: Compensation

Sarah Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to facilitate access to (a) financial redress and (b) ongoing treatment and care for patients adversely affected by surgical mesh.

Maria Caulfield: The Government published its response to the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review on 21 July 2021 which confirmed that no redress schemes will be established. Our primary focus is on improving future medicines and medical devices safety through funding on initiatives that directly improve future safety, including specialist mesh centres and support for families affected by medicines in pregnancy.There are now eight specialist centres in operation across England to provide comprehensive treatment, care and advice for women affected by implanted mesh. Progress is being made towards the establishment of a regional service with a provider in the South West.

GP Surgeries: Vacancies

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to provide additional support to GP surgeries whose staff are under extreme pressure due to a lack of staff.

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure there is an adequate number of GPs to meet current demand.

Maria Caulfield: We have invested £270 million since November 2020 to expand capacity in general practice, in addition to £1.5 billion until 2023/24 and £250 million via the Winter Access Fund. The non-recurring revenue funding through the Winter Access Fund is ringfenced to protect and expand capacity in general practice, until March 2022.We have committed increasing and diversifying the workforce and through our general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention schemes, alongside recruiting an additional 26,000 primary care staff by embedding multidisciplinary teams.More than 3,793 doctors accepted a place on GP training in 2020 against a target of 3,500 and we remain committed to increasing the number of training places to 4,000 in 2021/22.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access for patients to new techniques for tackling heart valve disease.

Maria Caulfield: NHS England and NHS Improvement evaluate new technology and the commissioning of newer techniques in tackling heart valve disease as it becomes available. This has led to improvements for patients in accessing new surgical heart valves such as sutureless valve replacement and for mitral valve leaflet repair. NHS England and NHS Improvement are increasing availability to mitral valve repair through commissioning local centres to deliver this procedure, working to their own prioritised timetable. A number of specialised heart valve devices and procedures are being taken through the evaluation process to ensure an appropriate evidenced-based approach to commissioning new technologies and techniques.

General Practitioners: Recruitment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many additional GPs are required to match patient need.

Maria Caulfield: There is no national recommendation for the number of general practitioner (GPs) required to match patient need. Each general practice is required to provide services to meet the reasonable needs of their registered population. It is therefore necessary to consider the workforce for each practice including the range of health professionals available, who are able to respond to the needs of their patients.

Dental Services

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase NHS dental care provision across (a) St Helens North constituency, (b) the North West and (c) England.

Maria Caulfield: The Department is working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement to increase levels of National Health Service dental services. Dental practices are now being asked to deliver at least 65% of contracted units of dental activity between October and December 2021 in order to receive full income support or an increase of 5%. NHS England and NHS Improvement will keep activity thresholds under review in line with potential infection prevention requirement revisions.Capacity for urgent dental care has been increased in St Helens with an additional 35 urgent care appointments available each week. Across the North West, 164 urgent dental care centres have been maintained to ensure access to urgent dental treatment. Commissioning teams in the North West are working with their local dental networks to monitor overall system performance, including dental access and demand figures.

General Practitioners: Abuse

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that GPs do not face abuse from the public.

Maria Caulfield: As announced in ‘Our plan for improving access for patients and supporting general practice’ on 14 October 2021, the Department and NHS England will work with the trades unions and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to launch a zero-tolerance campaign on abuse of National Health Service staff. In addition, NHS England will immediately establish a £5 million fund to facilitate essential upgrades to practice security measures.

Brain: Tumours

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients.

Maria Caulfield: In May 2018 we announced £40 million over five years for brain tumour research to improve outcomes for cancer patients as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission through the National Institute for Health Research. Since this announcement, 10 applications for research have been funded and seven are under consideration.The NHS Long Term Plan set out a series of commitments that focus primarily on fast and early diagnosis for all cancers including raising greater awareness of symptoms of cancer, lowering the threshold for referral by general practitioners and accelerating access to diagnosis investing in rapid diagnostic centres. These measures, aimed at improving cancer outcomes for all cancers, will benefit brain tumour patients.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Medical Treatments

Alex Davies-Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adherence of NHS providers to NICE guidelines on menstrual and reproductive health conditions, such as on heavy menstrual bleeding and endometriosis.

Maria Caulfield: No specific assessment has been made. We expect National Health Service providers to take account of such guidance when planning and delivering services and providing care and treatment to patients.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the availability of covid-19 secure transport options for people classed as clinically extremely vulnerable to reach their appointment for a booster covid-19 vaccine.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Lung Cancer: Screening

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment NHS England has made of the effect that the Targeted Lung Health Check programme has had on (a) early diagnosis, (b) urgent referrals and (c) prognosis in areas where the scheme operates, compared to the national average.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that appointments made in relation to the Targeted Lung Health Check programme are as flexible as possible.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made additional resources available for the purposes of reducing the backlog of people accessing the Targeted Lung Health Check programme that arose as a result of that programme having been paused in 2020.

Maria Caulfield: The targeted lung health check pilot schemes in Manchester and Liverpool have shown positive results. In Manchester, there was an almost five-fold reduction in stage 4 disease, with 80% of cancers diagnosed at an early stage. However, it is too early to compare diagnosis or outcomes by cancer stage from the pilot projects as data is not yet available for the national projects in the same period.Targeted lung health check sites are increasing accessibility through the use of telephone consultations and mobile services. Although the launch of the checks was paused to protect patient safety during the pandemic NHS England and NHS Improvement have advised that there is no current backlog.

Ambulance Services: Standards

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many ambulance trusts have moved into REAP Level 4 in the last six weeks; and how many in total are at REAP Level 4 as at 22 October 2021.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the recommended time is between patients with compromised immune systems receiving a third dose of covid-19 vaccine and receiving a booster dose of that vaccine.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services: Hospital Beds

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the in-patient bed occupancy level is for each NHS Mental Healthcare Trusts in England in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gillian Keegan: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who in the NHS is responsible for advising patients who have a compromised immune system that they are eligible for a third dose of a covid-19 vaccine; and what are arrangements for patients to receive a third dose of vaccine.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of street homeless people have received (a) one dose, (b) two doses, (c) three doses and (d) two doses plus a booster of a covid-19 vaccine.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Ambulance Services: Yorkshire and the Humber

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what Yorkshire Ambulance Service's average response time is over the past 12 months for which figures are available, for (a) Category 1 calls, (b) Category 2 calls and (c) Category 3 calls.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dental Services: Waiting Lists

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 July 2021 to Question 35935, how much additional funding by region the Government has provided to reduce waiting lists for NHS dentistry; and how (a) that additional funding and (b) existing funding will be allocated to support that matter.

Maria Caulfield: The Government has provided additional funding to cover the reduction in National Health Service dental patient charge revenue during the pandemic. This funding has been provided at a national level and therefore the information requested by region is not available centrally. Within existing capacity and funding, dental practices have been to prioritise those with urgent needs and vulnerable patients, followed by those with outstanding routine care. Flexible commissioning has also been used to secure extra capacity in some regions.

Cancer: Enfield North

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average length of time has been between cancer diagnosis and the start of treatment for patients who reside in Enfield North constituency in each of the last 10 years.

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people n Enfield North constituency who have waited longer that two weeks for a hospital appointment following an urgent cancer diagnosis referral in each of the last five years.

Maria Caulfield: Data is not held on the average length of time between cancer diagnosis and the start of treatment for patients residing in the Enfield North constituency. Average waiting times are also not collected at a constituency level.

Pain: Health Services

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve NHS (a) treatment and (b) support for those suffering from chronic long-term pain conditions.

Gillian Keegan: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to reply to the letter on behalf of a constituent from the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood of August 10 2021 on student nurse debt and the abolition of nurses and allied trades bursaries.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health Services: Disadvantaged

Nickie Aiken: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) reduce inequalities in healthcare and (b) prevent the avoidable death of Asian and Asian British babies.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cancer: Diagnosis

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the progress made towards delivering the NHS Long Term Plan commitment to diagnose three-quarters of cancers at an early stage by 2028.

Maria Caulfield: The most recent data from Quarter 1 2019 shows that 54.8% of cancers were diagnosed at Stages 1 or 2. Due to the effect of the pandemic on data collection, the Department has reviewed progress on individual initiatives contributing to achieving the overall ambition. This includes increased investment in public awareness with the ‘Help us help you’ campaign. Screening has been extended in various areas to support the NHS Long Term Plan target, such as the extension of the bowel cancer screening programme to people aged over 50 years old and launching targeted lung health checks. We have also invested in rapid diagnostic centre (RDC) pathways to accelerate diagnosis. As of summer 2021, there were 102 live RDC pathways across hospitals in England, with a further 98 pathways in development. This is an increase from 12 RDC pathways in March 2020.

Maternity Services: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects to have completed his consideration of recommendation 1 of the Health and Social Care Select Committee's report on the safety of maternity services in England, HC 19, published on 6 July 2021.

Maria Caulfield: The Government response to the Committee’s report set out that we would consider an assessment of midwifery and obstetric workforce levels to inform considerations of future funding. In early 2022, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists will provide information on the number of obstetricians at all grades required in maternity units. By June 2022, a complex workforce tool will be developed which can be used by maternity units to calculate the number of obstetricians required. This information will inform considerations of the Committee’s recommendation.

Integrated Care Boards

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of Integrated Care Boards being required to implement systems to identify and monitor inequalities in mental and physical health.

Edward Argar: We have made no specific assessment. However, the Health and Care Bill ensures that each integrated care board will have a statutory duty to reduce health inequalities.

Pain: Medical Treatments

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with NICE on their guidelines for the treatment of chronic pain.

Edward Argar: We have had no such discussions. The National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE has published a range of guidance on the management of chronic pain, including ‘Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain’ in April 2021 which is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG193Healthcare professionals should take the NICE guideline fully into account in the care and treatment of their patients.

Health Services: Standards

Paul Bristow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department and NHS England are taking to ensure that best practice set out by the Getting It Right First Time programme in areas including orthopaedics are adopted throughout the NHS.

Edward Argar: The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is now embedded within NHS England and NHS Improvement’s programmes to improve quality and productivity, ensuring best practice is adopted throughout the National Health Service. GIRFT practices are incorporated into the Pathway Redesign Programme and fast track surgical hubs, which are tackling waiting lists in high volume, low acuity specialties such as orthopaedics by increasing surgical productivity across the NHS.GIRFT metrics are also used in the model hospital system, which is a digital tool that provides an overview of a trust’s opportunities to enhance productivity. This enables peers to benchmark directly against one another and identify where improved practices can be adopted across the NHS.

Doctors: Recruitment

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of additional doctor posts required over the next two years.

Edward Argar: The Government plans to spend more than £8 billion from 2022-23 to 2024-25 to tackle elective waiting lists. We are working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop a plan for how that funding will be used, including workforce requirements and additional medical posts that may be needed.

NHS and Social Services: Staff

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will meet with providers of discount schemes for health and social care workers to help ensure that all eligible staff are able to participate in those schemes.

Edward Argar: The Department does not currently work directly with providers of discount schemes. Individual employers are free to further develop their local reward offer through discount schemes with providers of their choice.

Infectious Diseases: Disease Control

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to work with NHS England and NHS Improvement to coordinate a national pandemic response for primary care to provide GP practices with increased resources; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Caulfield: The Department continues to work closely with NHE England and NHS Improvement to support general practices during the pandemic. To assist general practice over the winter, we have introduced a £250 million national Winter Access Fund which can provide locums and support from other health professionals, such as physiotherapists and podiatrists, with a focus on increasing capacity to boost urgent same-day care.We made an additional £270 million available from November 2020 until September 2021 to ensure general practitioners and their teams were able to continue to support all patients during the pandemic.

General Practitioners: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to recruit more GPs in England.

Maria Caulfield: NHS England and NHS Improvement and Health Education England are working with the profession to increase the general practice workforce in England. We are increasing the number of general practitioner training places to 4,000 in 2021-22 to boost recruitment. In 2020, 3,793 doctors accepted a training place against a target of 3,500.

General Practitioners: Expenditure

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average payment to a GP practice per patient was in each year since 2016.

Maria Caulfield: NHS Digital publishes an annual summary of payments to general practices, including details of the average payment per registered patient for GP practices in England. The following table shows the data for 2016/17 to 2019/20. Information for 2020/21 is not yet available.YearPayment per registered patient2016/2017£152.812017/2018£153.772018/2019£154.812019/2020£155.46 Notes:Due to collection methods, the data should be treated with caution as some patients may be double counted or excluded from the data set.Following a methodological change in 2018/19 to the way in which patient counts are calculated, England-level average payments per registered and weighted patient have been recalculated for 2016/17 and 2017/18 and provided by NHS Digital.

Rare Diseases: Health Services

Sir Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will allocate a clinical care team for each person with (a) fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and (b) an ultra-rare disease.

Maria Caulfield: The United Kingdom Rare Diseases Framework, published in 2021, outlining the priorities to improve the lives of those living with rare diseases such as Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, including better coordination of care. Further details on how the Framework will address the coordination of care for patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases will be provided in action plans, which will be published by each of the four UK nations within two years. The Department is working with delivery partners, including NHS England and NHS Improvement, to develop an action plan for England.

Cancer: Health Services

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the suitability of the new NHS England Quality of Life survey for people diagnosed with a less survivable cancer.

Maria Caulfield: All people with a cancer diagnosis, including those with a less survivable cancer, are invited to complete the Cancer Quality of Life Survey. This is an initiative aimed specifically at supporting long term survivorship. For cancer patients who sadly do not survive for 18 months from diagnosis other approaches to assessing their experience, such as the Cancer Patient Experience Survey, will be more appropriate.

Hereditary Angioedema: Health Services

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve outcomes for people living with hereditary angioedema.

Maria Caulfield: In January 2021, the Government published the United Kingdom Rare Diseases Framework, to improve the lives of those living with rare diseases over the next five years. The NHS Immunology and Allergy Clinical Reference Group is revising the current commissioning policies ‘Treatment of Acute Attacks in Hereditary Angioedema (Adult)’ and ‘Plasma-derived C1-esterase inhibitor for Prophylactic treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) types I and II’ to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for people living with HAE in England. In addition, the National Health Service Commercial Medicines Unit is developing a procurement framework for medicines to treat HAE for launch in summer 2022.

Prostate Cancer: Radiotherapy

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of when new radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer will become available on the NHS.

Maria Caulfield: A new radioligand therapy is currently being considered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) approvals process: 177Lu-PSMA-617 for treating PSMA-positive hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer after two or more therapies. NICE’s technology appraisal is expected to commence in November 2021 and complete in September 2022.

Smoking

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to set a delivery plan and timetable for the forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan for England; and if he will make a statement.

Maggie Throup: The Department is currently in the process of drafting a new Tobacco Control Plan. Once the Plan has been published, we will set out a delivery plan and timetable to monitor its progress, and to make sure we deliver our ambition to be smoke-free by 2030.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Medical Treatments

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason there are no NICE guidelines for the care and treatment of people with Complex-PTSD; and whether he plans to review the need for such guidelines.

Edward Argar: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued a guideline in December 2018 on the care and treatment of people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The guideline includes recommendations for recognising, assessing and treating PTSD which extends to those suffering from complex PTSD. The guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116/resources/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-pdf-66141601777861

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: Redundancy

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a response to Early Day Motion 479 on Staffing reductions at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Edward Argar: We support the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) objective to be a world-leading regulator that protects public health and puts patients first. As an executive agency of the Department, the MHRA will make a robust assessment of its transformation plans, including the structural changes involved.

Trodelvy

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contingency plans his Department has put in the place in the event that Gilead do not agree an interim access arrangement with NHS England following licensing of Trodelvy for metastatic triple negative breast cancer patients through Project Orbis.

Edward Argar: NHS England and NHS Improvement and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have agreed a set of principles to allow potential interim access to medicines ahead of NICE’s guidance and are continuing to work with the manufacturer to explore options for interim access to Trodelvy. Following discussion with the manufacturer of Trodelvy, NICE has accelerated its appraisal and now expects to issue guidance in June 2022, with draft guidance expected in spring 2022.

Medical Treatments

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the evidential basis for a change in the discount rate to 1.5 per cent, including the advice in HM Treasury's The Green Book in 2020; and whether he has received representations in support of that change.

Edward Argar: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently reviewing the methods and processes in its health technology assessments, including the discount rate applied to costs and benefits. NICE has recently consulted publicly on proposals for changes to its methods and processes and is considering the responses received. NICE’s consultation stated that there is an evidence base for changing the discount rate to 1.5% but acknowledged the wider policy and fiscal implications and proposed to maintain the existing reference case discount rate while further data is collected on the likely effects.NICE also proposed to maintain a non-reference case discount rate of 1.5% for use in exceptional circumstances. The Department supports NICE’s proposal which is in line with the expectations for the review as set out in the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access 2019 agreed with industry. The Department has received representations from industry and other stakeholders supporting a reduced discount rate.

Cancer: Research

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what proportion of his Department’s cancer research budget was spent on childhood cancer research in the last three years; and if he breakdown those figures by types of childhood cancer that received that funding.

Edward Argar: This information is not held in the format requested. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR does not categorise research studies by age group or by type of childhood cancer.In addition, not all studies research a specific condition but are aimed at prevention or to improve outcomes for multiple conditions.

Medical Treatments

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the cost neutral approach taken in the proposals for change to NICE methods and process in the context of the Voluntary Pricing and Access Scheme agreement which commits industry to pay back any growth in the medicines budget above the agreed level.

Edward Argar: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body responsible for the review of its methods and processes. The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) states that NICE’s methods review should be consistent with improving the health gain achieved by spending on new innovative medicines, meaning that the proposals should result in the same or lower prices for new medicines on average. Whilst the VPAS aims to contribute to maintaining affordability of overall National Health Service spending on branded medicines, it not the only mechanism for doing so. The financial impact of any changes to NICE’s methods and processes will extend beyond the life of the current VPAS and NICE considers the budgetary impact of its proposals.

Trodelvy

James Daly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that women with incurable breast cancer have access to the drug, Trodelvy.

Edward Argar: Trodelvy was licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the treatment of metastatic triple negative breast cancer in August 2021. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is appraising Trodelvy, within its marketing authorisation, to determine its clinical and cost-effectiveness for use in the National Health Service. Following discussion with the manufacturer of Trodelvy, NICE has accelerated its appraisal and expects to issue guidance in June 2022, with draft guidance expected in spring 2022.NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE have agreed a set of principles to allow potential interim access to medicines ahead of NICE’s guidance and are working with the manufacturer to explore options for interim access to Trodelvy.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to help ensure that UK residents who volunteered to take part in covid-19 clinical trials, including the Valneva trial, are able to obtain their vaccination status on the NHS App.

Maggie Throup: All clinical trial participants can obtain a NHS COVID Pass through the NHS App or NHS.UK based on their vaccine status, where data has been uploaded to the national immunisation database by their trial sites or an exempt status where they remain on a blinded trial.Valneva clinical trial sites have now begun data uploads and once complete, unblinded Valneva trial participants will be able to access their NHS COVID Pass for travel. Participants should continue to check the entry requirements for their destination of travel. Most clinical trial participants, including approximately two thirds of Novavax trial participants in England, can now access their NHS COVID Pass for travel purposes. Work is ongoing to ensure that all clinical trial participants can access a NHS COVID Pass for travel in the near future.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking in response to citizens of Northern Ireland temporarily residing in England being unable to access the NHS Covid Vaccine Passport as a result of their GP postcode being registered in Northern Ireland.

Maggie Throup: The COVID-19 certification available to those registered in Northern Ireland is valid for use across the United Kingdom, enabling users to demonstrate their vaccination status.

Liver Diseases: Screening

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the covid-19 outbreak on testing for liver disease; and what steps he is taking to improve testing for that disease.

Maggie Throup: No formal assessment has been made. The NHS Long Term Plan recognises the importance of preventing avoidable disease through targeted policies to address lifestyle factors affecting healthy life expectancy, such as alcohol consumption and obesity. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England and NHS Improvement, with support from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, have invested £27 million in a four year programme to 2023/24 to establish or improve alcohol care teams to provide specialist alcohol interventions in hospitals where needed.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions has he had with his international counterparts on recognising AstraZeneca vaccines administered in (a) Turkey and (b) TRNC within the UK.

Maggie Throup: From 11 October, travellers vaccinated in over 37 countries and territories became eligible for reduced testing and quarantine requirements for ‘rest of the world’ category countries, if they have not visited a ‘red list’ country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England. These travellers should also be fully vaccinated with one of the four Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved vaccines, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria, Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen. This includes derivations, such as Covishield. Those fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine arriving from Turkey can demonstrate their status with a vaccine certificate from the relevant public health body. Arrivals from Cyprus must use the Cypriot EU Digital COVID Certificate to demonstrate their vaccine status.

Coronavirus: Screening

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what procedures his Department followed in awarding a covid-19 PCR testing contract to Randox.

Maggie Throup: All suppliers pass through a rigorous regulatory and validations process to ensure that they meet the same high-quality standards. In March 2020, a contract was awarded to Randox using Regulation 32, due to the public health emergency and the need for testing capacity. A new contract was awarded to Randox in April 2021 and in August 2021 for additional polymerase chain reaction testing on Public Health England’s National Microbiology Framework.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish an update on the rollout of a third primary dose of covid-19 vaccination for people with severe immunosuppression.

Maggie Throup: Vaccination of individuals with severe immunosuppression with a third primary dose commenced on 13 September 2021. Approximately 400,000 people have been identified as eligible for a third primary dose and NHS England is contacting these individuals by text and letter so they can discuss their vaccination options with their clinician.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has ceased to publish interventions from delegations in the summary records of subsidiary body meetings.

Maggie Throup: We are not aware of any changes to the publication process for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. We understand that the Secretariat will publish all outcomes and decisions from Ninth Conference of the Parties.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how people with a (a) medical and (b) other exemption from the covid-19 vaccine will be able to prove their status through the NHS apps.

Maggie Throup: Individuals registered with a general practitioner in England can apply for official proof that, for medical reasons, they are unable to be vaccinated or vaccinated and tested for COVID-19. Individuals with this proof can access the domestic NHS COVID Pass. Residents in England who have taken part, or are taking part, in an official COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial can access a domestic NHS COVID Pass. Clinical trial participants who have been unblinded can get a NHS COVID Pass for travel once their vaccine details have been uploaded to the National Health Service vaccine database. Clinical trial participants do not need to apply for a medical exemption. Children under 18 years old are also exempt from certification requirements in England.

Smoking: Norway

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the causes of the fall in smoking among young women in Norway since the year 2000 from 30 per cent. to 1 per cent.

Maggie Throup: The Department continues to monitor developments in tobacco use across the world. Whilst rates of smoking have decreased amongst young women in Norway, overall levels of tobacco use have remained stable. Evidence shows that the consumption of any tobacco product is harmful. We will continue to promote the use of nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 September 2021 to Question 45215 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, what progress she has made on the NHS Covid pass pilot; and when that programme will be rolled out more widely.

Maggie Throup: Since 30 September a pilot process has been in place for overseas vaccinations to be recorded in the National Immunisation Management System. People are invited to book a slot in a regional centre to present evidence of their vaccination and to receive any additional doses they may need. The pilot involved three vaccination sites in England with more opened since 11 October. Currently any Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Janssen or Moderna vaccinations administered by the European Medicines Agency, the Food and Drug Administration or Swissmedic will be recorded on the NHS COVID Pass.By the end of October there will be one vaccination site in every region in England offering this service. Subject to the pilot’s findings, this service will be publicly available from mid-November.

Travel: Quarantine

Sam Tarry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason people who have been fully vaccinated against covid-19 on a mixed-vaccine course and are travelling from an amber list country have to quarantine for ten days.

Maggie Throup: There is now a single ‘red list’ of countries. The rules for travel from countries and territories not on the ‘red list’ is dependent on the individual’s vaccination status. Those who are fully vaccinated with a mixed doses of one of the four vaccines authorised for supply in the United Kingdom arriving from countries and territories currently approved for relaxed inbound travel measures do not have to quarantine.

Pigs: Slaughterhouses

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many pigs were slaughtered in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland and (e) Northern Ireland in each month of the last three years.

Maggie Throup: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for delivering Official Controls in abattoirs in England and Wales. Official Controls in Northern Ireland are delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on behalf of the FSA. We are unable to provide the information requested for Scotland as this is a matter for Food Standards Scotland. The following table shows the number of pigs slaughtered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. TotalsDateEnglandWalesNorthern IrelandUnited Kingdom total excluding ScotlandYear Total: October to December 201820182,258,5027,814441,8232,708,139 October803,7682,726178,572985,066 November788,1122,443144,337934,892 December666,6222,645118,914788,181Year total for January to December 201920198,912,96728,5861,787,6801,072,9233 January768,3722,090174,284944,746 February682,0081,941140,191824,140 March699,8432,187133,646835,676 April752,2072,477162,470917,154 May750,7412,048124,842877,631 June658,1892,319127,991788,499 July770,1092,689162,514935,312 August749,7142,367147,700989,781 September736,3002,662146,307885,269 October821,7082,485185,2201,009,413 November786,0612,659149,850938,570 December737,7152,662132,665873,042Year total for January to December 202020209,070,90827,1981,437,23310,535,339 January784,5122,200180,140966,852 February695,6372,043140,442838,122 March781,5342,437146,904930,875 April739,6601,845120,979862,484 May693,4451,94685,876781,267 June742,5572,30298,814843,673 July784,0372,153121,388907,578 August708,6652,357103,208814,230 September802,3302,685102,606907,621 October797,8372,421134,188934,446 November760,3532,673109,150872,176 December780,3412,13693,538876,015Year total for January to September 202120216,913,39220,8091,334,3528,268,553 January721,6312,077126,182849,890 February753,0142,125103,382858,521 March861,0742,537150,3971,014,008 April784,8092,024187,611974,444 May744,3652,090147,534891,989 June781,7022,560148,433932,695 July756,2502,183177,362935,795 August765,5192,687146,557914,763 September745,0282,526146,894894,448

Smoking

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to bring forward proposals for regulatory or legislative amendments as a result of the contents of the forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan for England.

Maggie Throup: As part of the development of the new Tobacco Control Plan we are exploring a broad range of policies and regulatory measures to support our bold ambition to be smoke-free by 2030. These will be set out at a later date.

Department for Education

School Meals: Procurement

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there are contingencies in place to ensure that schools continue to receive food in the event of supply chain issues.

Will Quince: Schools are responsible for the provision of school meals and may enter individual contracts with suppliers and caterers to meet this duty. The department is confident that schools will continue to be able to provide pupils with nutritious school meals and there is no evidence to suggest widespread disruption to education as a result of issues with food supply.The department will continue to expect schools to meet the School Food Standards and schools have a great deal of flexibility in the foods that they can deliver under the School Food Standards. We are confident that schools will continue providing pupils with nutritious school meals as required by the School Food Standards. More information on the School Food Standards can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools.

Pre-school Education: Blackpool North and Cleveleys

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of families in Blackpool North and Cleveleys have taken up their entitlement to 15 hours of early education and childcare per week.

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of eligible parents in Blackpool North and Cleveleys claim the Early Years Pupil Premium.

Will Quince: Data on the number and percentage of children registered to receive the funded early education entitlements is published in the 'Education provision: children under 5' national statistics release which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5/2021.The table shows the number and percentage (where available) of eligible 2 year old and 3 and 4 year old children registered to receive funded early education, extended funded early education, and those in receipt of early years pupil premium.Data is not available at parliamentary constituency level, therefore it has been provided for Blackpool local authority.Data is not held for the number of parents eligible for early years pupil premium or extended funded early education at local authority or parliamentary consistency level, therefore percentages cannot be provided.Number and take up rate of eligible 2 year olds and 3 and 4 year old children registered to receive funded early education, extended early education and those in receipt of early years pupil premium January 2021 Blackpool local authority: NumberTake up rateEligible 2 year olds funded early education49660%3 and 4 year olds funded early education2,90087%3 and 4 year olds extended early education836data not availableEarly years pupil premium295data not available Source: Early Years Census and School CensusChildren who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary, or Independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.2021 is the first year of data covering COVID-19, collected during January's national lockdown. A higher proportion of children recorded as registered to receive early education entitlements will have been temporarily absent during census week itself than previous years.The estimated number of eligible two year old children is derived from data supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions each November. It represents the best data available on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria. Since 2019 it includes universal credit recipients.

Hadlow College: Expenditure

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking under the Technical and Further Education Act 2017 and other statutory provisions to help ensure accountability and transparency of public expenditure in relation to Hadlow College.

Michelle Donelan: All public expenditure in relation to the education administration of Hadlow College (and the related West Kent & Ashford College) have, and continue to be subject to, the highest levels of accountability and transparency.All expenditure has been approved by the Financial Cases Committee (FCC) in the Education and Skills Funding Agency, which is an independent committee. The FCC includes Her Majesty's Treasury, external independent experts, legal, commercial and the Further Education Commissioner, and subsequently ministers and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, as required by delegations.The Technical and Further Education Act 2017 provides that the education administrators are officers of the court which approves their fee requests. The education administrators' hourly rates are based on a commercial procurement framework which offers material savings to their rates charged in normal insolvencies. The spending of the education administrators is fully disclosed through their six monthly reports to creditors, which are publicly available at Companies House.

Primary Education: Free School Meals

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing funding for universal free school meals for infants in the next Spending Review.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of not increasing the cost of universal infants free school meals on the (a) quality of the meals provided and (b) ability for the industry to retain and recruit staff.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has investigated the (a) time taken for DBS checks and (b) effect that is having on staff availability in the school meals sector.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of delays in DBS checks on staffing levels in the school meals industry.

Will Quince: We spend around £600 million per year ensuring 1.3 million infants enjoy a free, healthy and nutritious meal at lunchtime following the introduction of the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) policy in 2014. All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in England’s state-funded schools are entitled to receive a free meal. This is in addition to the 1.7 million children in receipt of benefits related free school meals.The funding of UIFSM is allocated via a grant to schools, funded at a rate of £2.34 per meal. This grant was last increased for the 2020/21 academic year and covers the cost of raw materials as well as other fixed costs associated with providing the meals. It is for individual schools to decide how to allocate their budgets in order to provide these meals.The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is currently experiencing a significant demand for its services as organisations start to recruit staff following lockdown, for example during September and October it saw an increase of over 20% in demand for standard and enhanced checks. However, the DBS continues to deliver its services in line with its Published Service Standards which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dbs-dataset-1-disclosure-progress-information-disclosed-and-update-service-subscriptions. Despite increased demand largely driven by COVID-19 responses and the gig economy, particularly online shopping and food delivery, the DBS has consistently exceeded its operational targets.The department holds regular meetings with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other school food stakeholders, including the Local Authority Caterers Association, the representative body for school caterers, as well as food industry representatives covering a variety of issues.

School Meals: Procurement

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the school food industry on supply chain issues affecting that industry.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on supply chain issues impacting the school meals sector.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he last met with representatives of the school food industry to discuss (a) funding and (b) supply chain issues impacting the industry.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has met with the school food industry to discuss staff recruitment and retention challenges in that sector.

Will Quince: The department holds regular meetings with food industry representatives and with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, covering a variety of issues.There is no evidence to suggest widespread disruption to education as a result of issues with food supply and the department will continue to expect schools to meet the School Food Standards. Schools have a great deal of flexibility in the foods that they can deliver under the School Food Standards. If a particular product is not readily available for any reason, the standards allow schools a wide range of freedom to substitute in similar foods that are available. It is commonplace for schools and caterers to regularly review their menus. More information on the School Food Standards can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools.

Department for Education: Heating

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what type of heating system is the primary source of heating in each building occupied by his Department and its agencies; and what fuel is used by those heating systems.

Michelle Donelan: The Government Property Agency (GPA) acts as a landlord to government department clients, including Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade, the Department for Education and others.The majority of GPA’s properties have heating systems served by gas fired boilers. This includes the Whitehall District Heating System, which is a system owned and operated by GPA that distributes heating to premises in the Whitehall Campus from conventional fossil fuel boilers.GPA’s newly developed assets have utilised more carbon efficient forms of heating, such as the new hub in Birmingham at 23 Stephenson Street, which has a mechanical heat recovery system with electricity as its fuel source.GPA has started a Net Zero Offices Programme, which seeks to remove fossil fuel boilers (where they have reached end of economic life) and replace them with more environmental forms of heating such as use of air source heat pumps and, in the case of the Whitehall District Heating System, the utilisation of ground source heat pumps. The Net Zero Offices Programmes is seeking funding for its heat decarbonisation projects through applications to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Schools: Finance

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much and what proportion of school covid-19 catch-up funding has been spent by region to date.

Mr Robin Walker: All payments from the £650 million catch up premium were allocated during the 2020/21 academic year. The COVID-19 catch up premium allocation guidance provides data on the funding provided at school and local authority level: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-catch-up-premium-provisional-allocations. The catch up premium conditions of grant, which can be found on the page linked above, permit schools to carry any unspent funding forward to future years. There is no mechanism to confirm what amount has been spent by each school to date at a regional level from the allocations provided. Schools are held to account for their use of catch up premium as per their other forms of funding. The catch up premium guidance states that governors and trustees should scrutinise schools use of the catch-up premium and that Ofsted may discuss plans schools have to use the funding as part of their inspections. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/catch-up-premium-coronavirus-covid-19.

Ministry of Justice

Wealstun Prison: Smuggling

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Wealstun, published on 14 October 2021, what estimate he has made of the rate of false positives in scans for secreted items; and what recent assessment he has made of (a) the impact on procedural justice and (b) the efficacy for eliminating flows of contraband into prisons of automatically placing a prisoner on report when a scan indicates the possible presence of a secreted item.

Victoria Atkins: The use of an X-ray body scanner must be fully justified, proportionate and the individual or societal benefit of the exposure must outweigh any potential health risks. It is a mandatory requirement that the justification for the scan is recorded in all cases. Prisoners are not routinely or randomly scanned and are only scanned on the basis of intelligence or suspicion, in cases where a full search would not be effective. At this time, we are not able to accurately estimate the rate of false positives. This is because once a positive scan has been indicated, prisoners are referred to healthcare and offered the opportunity to privately remove and surrender any items they may be concealing internally. If they do not choose to or are not able to do this, they will be kept isolated from the rest of the prisoner population until they pass and dispose of the item or produce a negative scan. They are then able to return to the prison population once they have received a negative scan. Therefore, not all positive scans relate to a ‘find’ as prisoners often dispose of the items privately, and they do not enter the prison environment.

Family Courts: Administrative Delays

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure the delays in family courts do not result in further abuse of former partners.

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure delays in family courts are not used to further financially control a former partner.

James Cartlidge: This government is determined to protect and support the victims of domestic abuse and their children better. We recognise the additional pressures that the family justice system has faced since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact this has had on children and families who use the family courts. Cases with the most significant safeguarding issues remain our priority, and where suitable, cases are being heard remotely to continue maximising our use of our estate. HMCTS has been prioritising certain cases for processing. The ‘highest priority’ category in private law includes urgent applications in children cases, domestic abuse injunctions and urgent applications in financial remedy cases and decrees absolute. When an application for a domestic abuse injunction is received, there is a requirement for court staff to refer the application to a judge within three hours of receipt and inform the applicant or their legal representative of the next steps. This year, the government will be providing around £300m for victim and witness support services. This includes £800k funding per year to the FLOWS project, run by RCJ Advice, to provide free legal support to victims of domestic abuse who wish to apply for an emergency protective order from the courts. Where there are divorce proceedings, either party may apply for a financial order at any time and do not need to wait until the divorce is finalised to seek financial freedom. A respondent to the divorce proceedings can ask the court to delay the divorce until the court is satisfied with their financial situation.

Remote Hearings: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service plans to publish its study on the use of remote hearings during the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cartlidge: Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) aims to publish the study on the use of remote hearings during the covid-19 outbreak in due course.

Courts: Remote Hearings

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish data on HM Courts and Tribunal Service's weekly use of remote audio and video technologies between March 2020 and May 2021, broken down by number and proportion of court hearings involving child defendants that were mainly conducted via (a) face to face, (b) video technology and (c) audio technology.

James Cartlidge: The information requested is not held centrally.

Ministry of Justice: Correspondence

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve his Department's response times to correspondence from members of the public.

James Cartlidge: The Government recognises the importance of responding to members of the public in an effective and timely manner, and the Cabinet Office published an updated Guide to Handling Correspondence for government departments and agencies in July 2021.Following publication of the updated guidance, all departments have been reminded that they must follow the processes outlined in the guidance. The guidance reasserts the standards for handling correspondence, including a 20 working day deadline for departments to respond to members of the public, criteria outlining when a response to a member of the public is required, and when a piece of correspondence from a member of the public should be transferred to another department.

Crimes against the Person: Members

Sir Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been convicted for (a) attacking and (b) making threats against Members of Parliament in each year from 2010 to 2021; how many of those convictions resulted in a custodial sentence; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people are currently serving a prison sentence for attacking or threatening a Member of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

James Cartlidge: Any form of intimidation, harassment, or violence against people in public life is completely unacceptable. The majority of incidents targeting MPs involve malicious online communications. However, we know that MPs can face physical threats and that on occasion some have been attacked, with two tragically losing their lives in the last decade. That someone should lose their life in an attack is horrendous and sickening – such incidents are an attack on democracy itself. The Government’s priority is the safety and security of the UK and those who live here. Information on convictions and sentencing outcomes (including prisons data) for (a) attacking and (b) threatening a Member of Parliament is not recorded in a way that is easily identifiable. A wide range of criminal offences may apply, and access to individual court / prisoner records would be required to identify individual cases involving relevant offences and whether the victim was a Member of Parliament. The Ministry of Justice has published information on convictions and immediate custodial sentences for broader offences, up to December 2020, available in the ‘Outcomes by Offence’ data tool at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/987715/outcomes-by-offence-2020.xlsx Published information on numbers of people currently serving a prison sentence for broader offences, up to 30 June 2021, is available in table A1.5i, at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1006270/Population_30June2021_Annual.ods

Prison Service: Pay

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Prison Service Pay Review Body 2021 report on England and Wales, published on 19 October 2021, what estimate he has made of the real terms change in basic pay for directly employed prison staff, for each pay band, between financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Victoria Atkins: The Government’s response to the Prison Service Pay Review Body’s 20th report (2021/22) was announced on 19 October. In accordance with the public sector pay pause, the prison pay award for this year means that staff earning a basic full-time national equivalent salary of less than £24,000 (excluding allowances) will receive an uplift of £250 (or uplift to the National Living Wage if higher). In addition to this, all staff below the top of their pay band, and who are eligible, will receive progression pay worth up to 5%. Over half of prison service staff will receive an increase under this year’s pay award. The exact percentage increase an individual receives depends on their individual terms and conditions, grade, location and position within the pay band.

Exhumation: Licensing

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he plans to issue exhumation licences to civil service officials.

Tom Pursglove: The Secretary of State has delegated authority to issue exhumation licences, and they are now being issued.

Police Custody: Legal Opinion

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2021 to Question 48219, on Police Custody: Legal Opinion, with reference to social distancing rules, for what reason his Department decided to revise the protocol to facilitate the provision of remote legal advice for suspects being interviewed under caution in police stations during the covid-19 outbreak rather than return to the police station advice arrangements that were in place prior to that outbreak.

James Cartlidge: Rather than fully reverting to the pre-pandemic arrangements, the Joint Interim Interview Protocol allows for remote advice in very limited specified circumstances to provide flexibility where it is needed, for example, in a scenario where the detainee is confirmed or believed to be Covid positive. Final decisions about allowing remote advice will be made by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent. From 4 October 2021 the default position is that advice is provided to suspects by legal representatives in person during police interviews as was the case prior to the pandemic.

Courts: Interpreters

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how hearings are classified as (a) complex-written, (b) complex and (c) standard for the purpose of assigning interpreting jobs; and how many individuals HM Courts and Tribunals Services has engaged to conduct spoken word interpreting tasks in each of those three tiers in each of the last four years.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the frequency with which bi-lingual individuals with no public service interpreting qualifications or training are given interpreting responsibilities in courts for Standard assignments.

James Cartlidge: The Ministry of Justice has a predetermined set of requirements for linguists, developed to meet the interests of justice. The level was agreed at the start of the contract by judiciary and subject matter experts for each commissioning body. The MoJ regularly reviews the assigned complexity level attributed to assignment types. The discretion to amend the complexity assigned to a booking is afforded where there is judicial direction to do so, or by those officials acting with delegated authority. This is decided on a case-by-case basis to meet the requirements of the specific booking. HMCTS - Volume By Complexity & Calendar YearYearComplexityVolume2017Standard25,8992017Complex104,3822017Complex Written3,7662018Standard26,2302018Complex101,5392018Complex Written4,1252019Standard27,5202019Complex100,7202019Complex Written5,6872020Standard27,1132020Complex69,0582020Complex Written4,046 The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them. Language professionals provided by our contracted language service providers are sourced from the Ministry’s register. Only language professionals that meet the Ministry’s contractual requirements are included on the register, which is managed and audited by an independent language service provider, The Language Shop. The contract has a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements language professionals must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. All interpreters are also required to complete a justice system specific training course before they are permitted to join the ministry’s interpreter register. The full details of the standards required for our Language Professionals is set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137 The Language Shop make regular and independent assessments of language professionals carrying out assignments via the Ministry’s language services contracts, to ensure they meet the requirements of the contract between the Ministry and the supplier.

Remote Hearings: Hearing Impairment

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 35513 on Remote Hearings: Hearing Impairment, if his Department will publish the reasonable adjustment guidance and training available to HMCTS personnel.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 35513 on Remote Hearings: Hearing Impairment, if his Department will publish the learning materials which provide explicit guidance on working with diverse individuals such as those who are hard of hearing which the judiciary has access to.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance has been provided by his Department to HMCTS officials on court hearing participants using specialist equipment assessed as suitable including Roger assistive devices.

James Cartlidge: The Equality Impact Assessment will be published alongside an evaluation of the use of remote hearings during the covid-19 outbreak. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) aims to publish the evaluation in due course.HMCTS Reasonable Adjustment Guidance and training are intended for internal use and HMCTS does not intend to publish these materials. Remote participation in hearings provides an alternative method for conducting a hearing. However, attending a hearing remotely will not always be appropriate. The option to hold a remote hearing is at the discretion of a judge, who will decide if it is appropriate and in the interests of justice to do so, taking into account the needs of the parties involved. The allocation of court facilities will be provided accordingly. HMCTS is committed to ensuring that remote hearings are accessible to all users including those with hearing loss.To preserve the independence of the judiciary, the Lord Chief Justice (LCJ), the Senior President of the Tribunals, and the Chief Coroner have statutory responsibility for judicial training.  All judicial training materials are created and held by the Judicial College which is independent from the Ministry of Justice.All judicial office holders have access to the Equal Treatment Bench Book (ETBB).  This is a publicly available guidance document that provides explicit guidance on a wide range of considerations, including with individuals who are hard of hearing.  The ETBB is published here: www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Equal-Treatment-Bench-Book-February-2021-1.pdf.HMCTS has issued guidance to staff highlighting that court/tribunal users with hearing loss may wish to use personal or specialist equipment including Roger assistive devices in our buildings.  Where a court/tribunal user wishes to use equipment at a hearing not provided by HMCTS this is subject to judicial approval.

Drugs: Prison Sentences

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing longer prison sentences for those who deal class A drugs.

James Cartlidge: Sentencing in individual cases is entirely a matter for our independent courts, taking into account the circumstances of each case and following any relevant sentencing guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing Council.The maximum penalty for supplying, offering to supply, or intent to supply class A drugs is life imprisonment. Additionally, in recognition of the seriousness of these offences, in England and Wales, the law provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in custody for repeat offenders who have been convicted of these offences on three or more occasions, unless there are particular circumstances relating to the offender or the offence which would make it unjust to do so.Provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, currently before Parliament, will ensure that the courts in England and Wales only depart from passing at least the minimum sentence in exceptional circumstances.

Tax Allowances: Cohabitation

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the eligibility for Spousal Support to include people who are in long-term relationships outside of marriage.

Tom Pursglove: The Law Commission consulted on financial remedies for cohabiting couples in 2006 and published its report in July 2007. The Government will review how to proceed in relation to proposals made by the Law Commission on the rights or responsibilities which marriage creates, such as the financial entitlements of surviving spouses or the consequences of divorce, in the context of any further reforms to the family justice system.

Probate Service: Standards

James Daly: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to help tackle the time taken by the Probate Registry to (a) deal with enquiries from legal practitioners and members of the public and (b) process applications.

Tom Pursglove: HMCTS is currently onboarding new staff to address Probate contact, and as a result of recent focus on clearing stopped cases, we have seen a reduction in the average time to handle calls. Legal Practitioners can track the progress of their digital applications through their MyHMCTS account.Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the Probate Service during the Covid-19 pandemic, the average length of time taken for a grant of probate following the receipt of the documents required has been maintained at between four to six weeks. Probate resource is being stabilised and will result in more staff being focussed on issuing grants to further drive-up disposals.The most recently published information regarding combined waiting times for a grant of probate, on paper and digital cases, covers April 2021 to June 2021 and is published on gov.uk via Family Court Statistics Quarterly (Table 25): Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2021 - GOV.UK. (www.gov.uk)

Treasury

Treasury: Heating

Jake Berry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what type of heating system is the primary source of heating in each building occupied by his Department and its agencies; and what fuel is used by those heating systems.

Helen Whately: The Government Property Agency (GPA) acts as a landlord to government department clients, including HM Treasury for its three offices. The Treasury does not hold information on the heating systems used by its agencies. This information will be sought by the Department and deposited in the Libraries of the he House.

Treasury: Staff

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the mean proportion is of officials in his Department physically working in their office whose office is in (a) Darlington and (b) London on each day in each of the last three months; and what information on staff working patterns his Department is collecting to understand and plan for accommodation and facilities.

Helen Whately: The Treasury does not hold the information requested. As part of the Government Estate Strategy, the Treasury has agreed a commitment, along with all departments and their executive agencies, to implement smarter working by 2022. As part of the department’s work with the Government Property Agency on this important public sector initiative, the Treasury will consider lessons learned from ways of working during lockdown to make its final policy decisions on the smarter working remit including remote working. The Treasury will publish its approach to managing workspace during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Performance Report of its Annual Report and Accounts as it has done in 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Non-domestic Rates

Jim Shannon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans for business rate reform in the next calendar year.

Lucy Frazer: We have published the conclusion of the Business Rates Review, which sets out our plans for reform, at the Budget. For example, the Review announces significant new measures to reduce the burden of business rates on firms, including freezing the multiplier in 2022-23, saving ratepayers £4.6bn over the next five years. We are providing a new temporary relief worth almost £1.7 billion for eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses in England. We are also providing support worth almost £750m over the next five years for businesses to improve and decarbonise their properties. The Review also commits to changes to improve the business rates system, through a commitment to deliver more frequent revaluations. We will deliver a 3-yearly revaluations cycle from 2023.

Science: UK Trade with EU

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of  the UK's departure from the EU on imports of scientific supplies; and what steps his Department is taking to help ensure sensitive scientific supplies, including algae cultures, arrive in the UK from the EU on time.

Lucy Frazer: The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border. The Government will act to ensure that border processes are as smooth as possible without compromising security. The Government has put in place measures to facilitate trade with the EU and to avoid disruption at ports, including publishing comprehensive guidance on the new arrangements for trade with the EU. Algae are defined as plants for planting if the intention is for them to be grown on. Since 1 January 2021, algae have been subject to the new requirements which apply to imports of high-priority plants and plant products to GB from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. This includes the requirement for:Goods to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate;Import pre-notification to be submitted to competent authority by the GB importer;Risk-based documentary, identity and physical checks. Algae have been risk assessed and do not require a physical inspection. Document checks are completed electronically, and the consignment will move directly to the importer’s premises once the checks have been completed.

Maternity Allowance and Parental Pay

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2021 to Question 45154 on Maternity Allowance and Parental Pay, if he will conduct a review of the accuracy and reliability of the data relating to the annual number of claimants of (a) statutory maternity pay, (b) statutory paternity pay and (c) statutory shared parental pay provided by HM Revenue & Customs.

Lucy Frazer: The information held by HMRC in relation to statutory payments is collected through an employer’s monthly PAYE returns. HMRC aim to limit the collection of information from employers to what is required for assuring PAYE. Information which could identify new parents is not necessary for HMRC’s PAYE collection processes. There are no plans review the data.

Equipment: Capital Allowances

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department's policy on the super-deduction announced on 3 March 2021 setting out a new 130 per cent first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets and a 50 per cent first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets, whether he has made an estimate of the number of firms that are likely to take up that allowance for investment in plant and machinery in (a) England, broken down by each region, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) in the UK during the financial years (i) 2021-22 and (ii) 2022-23.

Lucy Frazer: A geographical breakdown of the number of businesses taking up these allowances in 2021-22 and 2022-23 will not be available until HMRC has received and processed the relevant tax returns.

Financial Services

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it was his policy to support the inclusion of a carve-out for financial services under Pillar 1 of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting framework; and if he will make statement.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to proposals for a global minimum rate of corporation tax under Pillar 2 of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Framework, what position the Government has put forward on the use of deferred tax accounting to the OECD Working Party 11.

Lucy Frazer: The UK has long been at the forefront of global efforts to update the international corporation tax framework in response to challenges created by digitalisation.The UK has been an active participant throughout the process and has played a leading role in securing G20 commitment to reach initial agreement on the proposals by mid-2021 and final agreement by October 2021.The agreement reached on 8 October 2021, with over 130 jurisdictions across the globe, represents a major reform to the global tax system and will help to ensure multinational businesses pay their fair share, with the right companies paying the right amount of tax in the right place.Reaching a Two-Pillar Solution has been a long-standing priority for the UK. It is a credit to our persistence that this agreement is now becoming a reality.The full details of the political agreement are still subject to international negotiation and it would not be appropriate to comment on specific provisions.

National Insurance

Wes Streeting: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the planned increase in National Insurance contributions on child poverty.

Mr Simon Clarke: The government published distributional analysis on its plan for health and social care, alongside the announcement on 7 September. This showed that lower-income households will be large net beneficiaries from this package, with the poorest households gaining most (as a proportion of income).

Treasury: Staff

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of his Department's roles have been moved out of central London in the last (a) 12 months, (b) six months and (c) three months; and how many of those roles have been filled by staff (i) of his Department who previously filled that same role when the role was located in central London, (ii) who previously worked for his Department in other roles and (iii) who have not previously worked for his Department.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many jobs his Department has moved from his Department's premises in central London to Treasury North in Darlington as at 3 October 2021.

Helen Whately: There will be at least 750 roles based at the Darlington economic campus, with the Treasury expecting to provide up to 300 of these. The Treasury’s workforce in Darlington will be made up of existing staff who voluntarily relocate from London in their existing roles and people who are recruited directly to the campus. The expression of interest process remains open for existing Treasury staff who wish to move, and relocations are taking place on a gradual basis. Almost all Treasury roles are advertised as available in Darlington, and we have launched a series of recruitment campaigns exclusively for Darlington based Treasury roles. We are working at pace to establish the campus as quickly as possible and will publish details of relocations and recruitment in HMT’s 21/22 annual report and accounts.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Bangladesh: Hinduism

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has raised the matter of recent reported attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh with her Bangladeshi counterpart.

Amanda Milling: The UK Government is concerned about the recent violence at Hindu Durga Puja celebrations across various districts in Bangladesh. We engage with the Government of Bangladesh on the importance of freedom of religion or belief, which remains a priority for the UK Government. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister for South Asia, tweeted his concern on 21 October. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh discussed the violence with Foreign Minister Momen on 26 October. On 19 October he also expressed his condolences to the victims of the violence and the UK's support for those working for religious tolerance and harmony in Bangladesh and around the world.

Myanmar: Armed Conflict

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her counterparts on the UN Security Council on the Burmese military troop build-up and increasing military attacks in Myanmar’s Chin State, Sagaing Region and Magwe, North-Western Myanmar.

Amanda Milling: The UK is deeply concerned about the situation in Chin, Sagaing and Magwe, particularly the significant troop movements by the Myanmar Armed Forces and reports of multiple civilian casualties. Current clashes have created mass displacement, with thousands of people now fleeing across the Indian border into Manipur and Mizoram state. This not only exacerbates the crisis in Myanmar but causes further regional instability. On 15 October, the British Embassy in Yangon released a statement urging the military to end their campaign of violence and flagging our concern for communities, their livelihoods, property and places of worship. We are monitoring developments closely and are in discussion with our international partners in the UN Security Council.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Jaguar Land Rover

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many vehicles have been procured by FCDO Services from Jaguar Land Rover since 1 January 2020; how much those vehicles cost in total; and how many of those vehicles are powered by hybrid technology.

Amanda Milling: Since 1 January 2020 FCDO Services has procured 53 vehicles from Jaguar Land Rover. The total cost of those vehicles is information held commercially in confidence. All procurement is published on crowncommercial.gov.uk. Of those vehicles, 23 have been Petrol Hybrid and 9 have been Battery Electric Vehicles.

Palestinians: Education

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funding the UK Government is providing for education in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to (a) UNRWA and (b) the Palestinian Authority.

James Cleverly: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Palestinians: Health Services

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funding the Government is providing for health services in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to (a) United Nations Relief and Works Agency and (b) the Palestinian Authority.

James Cleverly: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Robert Largan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to respond to the enquiry from the hon. Member for High Peak of 23 July 2021, reference RL24949.

James Cleverly: A response was sent on 10 August 2021, and an additional copy has been sent to the Member's office.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support the Government plans to make available to the people of Afghanistan who do not meet the criteria of the Afghanistan citizens' resettlement scheme but who have a connection with the UK.

James Cleverly: The Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will provide those put at risk by recent events in Afghanistan with a route to safety. The ACRS is one of the most generous schemes in our country's history under which we will welcome up to 5,000 vulnerable Afghans over the next year and up to a total of 20,000 in the coming years. There will not be a formal application process for the ACRS. The scheme is not yet open and further details, including eligibility criteria, will be announced in due course by the Home Office. Further details on the scheme will be published here: Afghanistan resettlement and immigration policy statement - GOV.UK. Unfortunately not all who wish to leave Afghanistan will be eligible under the ACRS. The Government continues to do all it can to ensure safe passage for the most vulnerable Afghans and is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan.

Members: Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she will respond to urgent correspondence from the hon. Member for Harrow West dated 14 September 2021, case reference GT48805, on behalf of a British national constituent stranded in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

James Cleverly: A response to the Honourable Member's correspondence has been issued. The Government continues to do all it can to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave, and is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan. We are in contact with British nationals and others who are eligible for resettlement in the UK, and are working urgently with neighbouring countries to ensure that at-risk Afghans have options for safe passage. We have evacuated around 8,000 British nationals to date. We are continuing to work as hard as we can to get more people out.

Jamal Khashoggi

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has received representations on private jets owned by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund being used for travel to and from Istanbul by Saudi agents responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

James Cleverly: The UK has always been clear that Jamal Khashoggi's murder was a terrible crime. We condemn his killing in the strongest possible terms, which is why we have sanctioned twenty Saudi nationals involved in the murder under the global human rights regime. The former Foreign Secretary raised the killing of Jamal Khashoggi during his visit to Riyadh last year, and we continue to raise it in our engagement with the Saudi authorities.

Saudi Arabia: Newcastle United Football Club

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she or her Department's officials raised the cases of political detainees, prisoners of conscience and other human rights concerns with officials from (a) the English Premier League and (b) Newcastle United Football Club in connection with the proposed purchase of that Club by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund.

James Cleverly: The Department has had no contact with Newcastle United. FCDO officials met English Premier League officials at the latter's request. FCDO officials provided an overview of the UK relationship with Saudi Arabia. FCDO officials were clear that any prospective takeover of Newcastle United was a matter for the two parties concerned.

Abdulrahman al-Sadhan

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Saudi counterpart officials on the 20-year sentence recently upheld against Saudi humanitarian aid worker Mr. Abdulrahman al-Sadhan.

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department plans to take in response to the detention of Mr. Abdulrahman al-Sadhan in Saudi Arabia; and if her Department will take steps to monitor reports of torture of that person.

James Cleverly: We continue to monitor the case of Mr Abdulrahman al-Sadhan. FCDO Ministers and senior officials regularly raise human rights in our engagement with the Saudi authorities. We have consistently pressed for due process and raised concerns about the use of solitary confinement, lack of family contact and allegations of torture.

Mohammed al-Khudari

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her international counterparts on the case of critically ill cancer patient and Palestinian national Mr. Mohammed al-Khudari currently in prison in Saudi Arabia.

James Cleverly: The UK regularly engages with international partners. Our position is clear that all detainees should have access to adequate medical care and medical supplies.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many cases relating to people in Afghanistan requiring assistance are still waiting to be processed by her Department.

James Cleverly: We carried out Operation Pitting, the biggest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent history, bringing out of Afghanistan around 15,000 people, including around 8,300 British Nationals, 5,000 people through the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and approximately 500 special cases of particularly vulnerable Afghans, including Chevening scholars, journalists, human rights defenders, campaigners for women's rights, judges and many others. All these figures include dependants.Additionally, under Operation Pitting 311 families eligible for relocation under ARAP were called forward but were not evacuated from Afghanistan, the vast majority of whom were Afghan nationals. Our efforts to contact and support vulnerable individuals and their dependants continues, and we are making every effort to assist them to reach the UK.Since 28 August, over 500 more individuals eligible to come to the UK have been able to leave Afghanistan, and as well as more than 400 British Nationals and dependants.

Members: Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to reply to the urgent correspondence from the hon. Member for Harrow West, sent on 4 and 8 September 2021, case reference GT48624, on behalf of a constituent, a British National stuck in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

James Cleverly: A response to the Honourable Member's correspondence was issued on 27 September. The Government continues to do all it can to ensure safe passage for eligible individuals who wish to leave, and is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan. We are in contact with British nationals and others who are eligible for resettlement in the UK, and are working urgently with neighbouring countries to ensure that at-risk Afghans have options for safe passage. We have evacuated around 8,000 British nationals to date. We are continuing to work as hard as we can to get more people out.

Dalal Mughrabi

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 18 October 2017 to Question 107709 on Palestinians: Overseas Aid, whether the Government made representations to the Palestinian Authority on concerns over the naming of summer camps after Dalal Mughrabi; and what assessment she has made of the effect of those representations on the decision not to rename those the summer camps.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 5 February 2018 to Question 125954 on Palestinians: Schools, whether the Government has made representations to the Palestinian Authority on concerns over the naming of a school after Salah Khalaf.

James Cleverly: We have been clear that incitement to hatred or violence is unacceptable from all parties. We will continue to raise concerns about this with the PA and continue to urge all parties to condemn incitement wherever and whenever it occurs.

Members: Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she will respond to urgent correspondence from the hon. Member for Harrow West dated 9 September 2021, case reference GT48885, on behalf of a British national constituent stranded in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

James Cleverly: A response to the Honourable Member's correspondence was issued on 27 September. The Government continues to do all it can to ensure safe passage for eligible individuals who wish to leave, and is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan. We are in contact with British nationals and others who are eligible for resettlement in the UK, and are working urgently with neighbouring countries to ensure that at-risk Afghans have options for safe passage. We have evacuated around 8,000 British nationals to date. We are continuing to work as hard as we can to get more people out.

Saudi Arabia: Detainees

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department plans to take in response to the continued detention of senior members of the Saudi royal family, including Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Prince Turki bin Abdullah and Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Salman; and what representations her Department has made on the detention of those people to Saudi officials.

James Cleverly: We continue to monitor the cases of Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Salman and Prince Turki bin Abdullah. FCDO Ministers and senior officials regularly raise human rights in our engagement with the Saudi authorities. We have consistently pressed for due process and raised concerns about the use of solitary confinement, lack of family contact and allegations of torture.

China: Taiwan

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of recent reports that China will be able to invade Taiwan by 2025.

Amanda Milling: We remain concerned by any action which raises tensions and risks destabilising the status quo. Her Majesty's Government considers the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue.

Members: Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to reply to the urgent correspondence from the hon. Member for Harrow West of 3 September 2021, case reference GT48616, on behalf of the British children of a constituent, stuck in Afghanistan; and she will make a statement.

James Cleverly: A response to the Honourable Member's correspondence was issued on 27 September. The Government continues to do all it can to ensure safe passage for eligible individuals who wish to leave, and is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan. We are in contact with British nationals and others who are eligible for resettlement in the UK, and are working urgently with neighbouring countries to ensure that at-risk Afghans have options for safe passage. We have evacuated around 8,000 British Nationals to date. We are continuing to work as hard as we can to get more people out.

Israel: Palestinians

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what cross-border peacebuilding projects the UK supports in Israel and the Palestinian Territories; and how much funding the Government has allocated to each of those projects.

James Cleverly: The Cabinet Office publishes Conflict Security and Stability Fund annual programme summaries on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-programme-summaries. They outline the annual budget, a short summary of the programmes, and a breakdown of the projects in the programme. The peacebuilding projects Constituencies for Peace and Support for Israeli NGOs continue to be funded in Financial Year 2021/2022 though exact spend figures are not yet available. Our future spending allocations will be set in the next Spending Review and full budgets for 2021 will be published in due course, including in our regular Statistics on International Development website and in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts. CSSF spend by regional, cross regional and non-discretionary theme is reported in the CSSF Annual Report. The CSSF Annual Report 2020-21 will be published on gov.uk.

UNRWA

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans the Government has to support the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

James Cleverly: The UK is a long-term supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We recognise UNRWA's unique mandate from the UN General Assembly, to provide protection and core services including health and education to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Budgets for 2020 were outlined in our Statistics in International Development report available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-aid-spend-2020. Our future spending allocations will be set in the next Spending Review and full budgets for 2021 will be published in due course, including in our regular Statistics on International Development website and in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts.

Iraq: Israel

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to promote diplomatic normalisation between Israel and Iraq.

James Cleverly: The UK warmly welcomed the normalisation agreements between Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan. These are historic steps which see the normalisation of relations between friends of the UK. The United Kingdom will continue to encourage further dialogue between Israel and other countries in the region, to work towards a more peaceful and prosperous future for Israelis, Palestinians and citizens across the region.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in the context of the 5.1 million covid-19 vaccine doses the UK donated to COVAX, which countries received those vaccines; and how many  of those vaccine doses were received by each of those countries.

Wendy Morton: To date, the UK has donated 10.6 million doses, of which 4.4 million doses have been donated bilaterally, and 6.2 million doses through COVAX, which go to the countries most in need. A full breakdown of donations through COVAX can be found on the Gavi website: https://www.gavi.org/news.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to help ensure covid-19 vaccines donated by the UK to low income countries do not expire before they can be administered.

Wendy Morton: To date, 10.6 million doses have been delivered to countries in need, and a further 10 million doses have been accepted by COVAX, to be delivered in the coming weeks. For all bilateral donations, we have sought assurances from recipients that they have the capacity to roll out the quantity of doses offered in line with National Deployment and Vaccination Plans ahead of their expiry dates.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Mr Steve Baker: To ask the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with Swiss officials on the NHS Covid Pass being accepted as proof of vaccination to enter indoor areas in Switzerland.

Wendy Morton: Domestic COVID certificates are the prerogative of each individual country. Where a country has introduced domestic COVID certificates, for example to enter hospitality venues, we have sought to engage with them to understand whether the NHS COVID Pass fulfils their requirements. Swiss COVID certificates are the prerogative of Switzerland: it is up to the Swiss government to determine whether the NHS COVID Pass meets their requirements.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number and percentage of UK surplus covid-19 vaccinations donated to low income countries that have expired before they could be administered.

Wendy Morton: The UK has committed to sharing 100 million doses by June 2022, of which 30 million will be donated by the end of 2021. To date, the UK has donated 10.6 million doses, of which 4.4 million were donated bilaterally, and 6.2 million have gone through COVAX to be delivered to the countries most in need.COVAX works with governments to monitor equitable distribution, allocation, and delivery of vaccines in line with National Deployment and Vaccination Plans. For all bilateral donations, we have sought assurances from recipients that they have the capacity to roll out the quantity of doses offered in line with their National Deployment and Vaccination Plans ahead of their expiry date. No UK donations have arrived with four weeks or less until their expiry date. We will always strive to donate with at least 2 months until expiry, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential effect of reductions in UK aid to climate vulnerable countries on the UK's ability to (a) achieve a successful COP26 conference and (b) tackle the climate crisis.

Vicky Ford: We remain committed to our five-year pledge to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance. This includes support developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including to avert minimize and address loss and damage, and adopt clean growth pathways, reducing or avoiding carbon emissions.At COP26 increasing ambition and action on adaptation and loss and damage will be a priority. The UK Presidency will continue to advocate for and pursue outcomes that will make a practical difference to countries and communities, particularly those most vulnerable to climate change. We aim to scale up and improve access to adaptation finance, ensuring that it reaches local communities.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of low vaccination rates in the global south on preventing the (a) spread and (b) mutation of covid19.

Wendy Morton: Evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccines can substantially reduce transmission. By supporting countries in accessing these vaccines, we help reduce spread of the virus, and the risk of mutations that could reduce the efficacy of existing vaccines.The UK is committed to equitable, global access, and is working with international partners to increase global supply, including to low-income countries. This includes £548 million in support of COVAX's Advance Market Commitment, which aims to supply up to 1.8 billion doses to up to 92 low and middle income countries by early 2022. The UK has also committed to sharing 100 million doses by mid-2022. Over 10 million of these doses have been donated so far.The UK also continues to track emerging variants through ongoing global genomic surveillance, and bilateral conversations with science and policy counterparts in countries where other variants have been detected. In April 2021, we set up the New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP) to offer UK genomics expertise to countries to detect new variants quickly.

Bangladesh: Hinduism

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations she has made to her counterparts in Bangladesh regarding anti-Hindu violence.

Amanda Milling: The UK Government is concerned about the recent violence at Hindu Durga Puja celebrations across various districts in Bangladesh. We engage with the Government of Bangladesh on the importance of freedom of religion or belief, which remains a priority for the UK Government. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister for South Asia, tweeted his concern on 21 October. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh discussed the violence with Foreign Minister Momen on 26 October. On 19 October he also expressed his condolences to the victims of the violence and the UK's support for those working for religious tolerance and harmony in Bangladesh and around the world.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she can request that the United Nations Secretary General send his Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict to the Tigray region in Ethiopia, as provided for by Security Council resolution 1888.

Vicky Ford: I am appalled by reports of sexual violence in Tigray and directly expressed my concerns in the strongest terms to the Ethiopian Ambassador during my first week as Minister for Africa. We support calls for the UN Secretary General to consider sending his Teams of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict to the Tigray region in Ethiopia. The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, visited Ethiopia earlier in October and held discussions with British Embassy staff on our shared concerns.In June we deployed an expert from our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative UK Team of Experts to conduct an initial scoping mission to identify tangible ways to enhance the response to gender-based violence in Tigray. The UK is working with partners in Ethiopia to confirm next steps and implement recommendations from this scoping mission. We continue to explore options for addressing the immediate needs of survivors, preventing further sexual violence and delivering justice and accountability.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Radicalism

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has a strategy to tackle incel culture in the Armed Forces.

Leo Docherty: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) ​has a broad programme of work to drive culture change; this does not specifically focus on an incel (involuntary celibate) culture. The MOD has made it absolutely clear there is no place for unacceptable behaviour in the Armed Forces. Anyone found to fall short of the Services’ high ​values and standards or ​found to have committed an offence is dealt with appropriately, which may include imprisonment and dismissal from Service. Defence set up the Directorate of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in April 2021, which brings together D&I, behaviours, service complaints and the service justice policy areas for the first time. This D&I Directorate has a pan-Defence responsibility for D&I and through cohering activity, sharing leading practice, assessing and assuring progress, it will support ​a more inclusive and operationally effective ​organisation. Defence ​continues to implement the recommendations from the Wigston Review into inappropriate behaviour and those made in the 2020 progress review led by Danuta Gray, which concluded that good progress had been made.

Service Complaints Ombudsman

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many unallocated applications for investigation the Service Complaints Ombudsman has had in each year since 2016.

Leo Docherty: The requested information has been provided by the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) and is presented in the following table: Year – as at 31 DecemberBacklog201602017820181352019492020232021 (as at 25 October)22 Prior to February 2018, cases were allocated to an investigator within 10 working days of receipt. This occurred even when they did not have the capacity to actively progress the complaints they were allocated. In order to be more transparent and better manage complainant expectation, this practice was stopped. This resulted in investigators having more manageable caseloads in which they actively worked on all cases assigned to them. However, it also created an allocation backlog for all eligible applications for substance and maladministration investigations. In 2019, a new process was introduced where all eligible applications for substance and maladministration investigations are triaged. The purpose of the triage is to conduct an early assessment of the application to determine whether the matter warrants further investigation by SCOAF. Cases in the backlog are matters of substance and maladministration. There are no delays in processing applications for referral, admissibility reviews or undue delay. Addressing the backlog has been identified as a key focus for SCOAF; they have successfully recruited into a number of vacancies and are now fully staffed on the operational side of the organisation. It is expected that these new staff will assist in the SCOAF’s ability to further reduce the backlog.

Military Aid: Scottish Ambulance Services

David Duguid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military personnel deployments there have been in Scotland to assist the Scottish Health and Scottish Ambulance Services, by local authority area.

James Heappey: From 1 March 2020 to 20 October 2021, there have been 32 military personnel deployments to support the Scottish Health and Scottish Ambulance Services through Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) requests. These MACA tasks ranged from supporting the COVID-19 vaccination and testing programme in Scotland, providing Service personnel to drive ambulances, as well as the use of defence estate and military planners. The table below shows the number of military deployments broken down by local authority area. The total exceeds 32 as some tasks spanned over several local authority areas. LocationNumber of MACA tasksAberdeen2Borders1Central Belt2Dumfries1Edinburgh8Fife2Glasgow7Highlands & Islands1Kinloss1Lanarkshire2Lothian1Rosyth1Nationwide (Scotland)8

Type 26 Frigates: Devonport Dockyard

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department’s commitment to base port Type 26 frigates in Devonport is (a) for a set period only or (b) an ongoing commitment for the duration of the operational periods of that class of frigate.

Jeremy Quin: Base porting of current and future classes is kept under review and is subject to the delivery of best value for money while maintaining operational output, on current plans Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport will be the base port for the Type 26 frigates for the duration of their service with the Royal Navy.

Shipping: Devonport Dockyard

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has plans to move the base porting of survey ships from Devonport to another Naval base in the UK.

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of warships that will be based in Devonport in each of the next 15 years.

Jeremy Quin: Base porting of current and future classes is kept under review and is subject to the delivery of best value for money whilst maintaining operational output. However it is intended that Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport will remain the Base Port for Survey Vessels, amphibious shipping and the majority of the Type 23 frigates until they leave service. Devonport will also welcome the Type 26 frigates in the late 2020s as they enter service.

Ministry of Defence: Hunting

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many permissions his Department has given hunts to operate on its land in the last three years.

Mr Ben Wallace: Permission for hunts to operate on MOD land is via a licence issued to a specific hunt. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has granted the following licenses for trail hunting: Year 2018-2019: 21 Licences were issued.Year 2019-2020: 26 Licences were issued.Year 2020-2021: 18 Licences were issued.Year 2021-2022: 11 Licences have been issued.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people in Afghanistan are still waiting for their applications for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy to be processed as at 19 October 2021.

James Heappey: We have received a huge number of applications for the ARAP scheme, the vast majority since the beginning of August. Substantial resource has been dedicated to processing these applications, which is a very high priority.To date some 85,000 applications have been received. Of those, processing is complete for 57,000, in progress for 4,000 and has not yet started on 24,000.The ARAP team are working hard to process these applications, with older applications being the first priority.

Operation Sandcastle: Disclosure of Information

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the Operation Sandcastle report.

James Heappey: I can confirm the Operation Sandcastle report has been sent to The National Archives on 20 October 2021 and will be available to view within the next 60 days.

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Type 45 Destroyers

Martin Docherty-Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the safety and security of the Aircraft Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth when carrying out its duties during the deployment to the South China Sea in the event of the accompanying Type 45 destroyers experiencing a technical fault.

James Heappey: The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews the safety and security of deployments during both the planning and operational stages. Prior to the deployment, the number and type of escorts forming the wider Carrier Strike Group for HMS Queen Elizabeth was carefully considered against the planned scheme of manoeuvre.  At no point during the deployment has the safety or security of HMS Queen Elizabeth been impacted by technical faults experienced by HMS Diamond.

Type 45 Destroyers: South China Sea

Martin Docherty-Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment was undertaken of the technical, mechanical and operational strength of the Type 45 destroyers prior to the current Carrier Strike Group deployment to the South China Sea.

James Heappey: Prior to embarking on any operational deployment, all units undertake a rigorous Force Generation and assurance process to ensure they are ready for operations.Both HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND completed the final stages of this process with the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) during Exercise STRIKE WARRIOR in May 2021, before proceeding on the maiden CSG deployment.

Department for Work and Pensions

Inflation

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the rate of inflation as of 21 October 2021 on child poverty.

David Rutley: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Security Benefits: Deductions

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average monetary value was for deductions made from (a) universal credit, (b) employment and support allowance, (c) jobseeker's allowance, (d) income support and (e) pension credit claimant’s payments by (i) categories of third party debt deductions, (ii) benefit overpayments and (iii) other types of deductions in May 2021.

David Rutley: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Poverty: Coventry

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the numbers of people in employment that are living in poverty in (a) Coventry North East constituency and (b) Coventry; and what recent estimate her Department has made of the effect of ending the £20 uplift to universal credit on the levels of in-work poverty in those areas.

David Rutley: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of conducting a review into the extent to which universal credit payments could take into account rent costs with the objective of preventing private renting tenants from falling into rent arrears.

David Rutley: Rent costs are already taken into account within the housing element of Universal Credit. The Local Housing Allowance determines the maximum financial support available for Universal Credit claimants who rent in the private sector.  Local Housing Allowance rates provide a reasonable amount of support with housing costs but are not intended to meet all rents in all areas. To support claimants, there are measures in place which can help to protect tenancies. These include managed payments to landlords, more frequent payments and deductions to repay rent arrears. In response to Covid-19 we increased LHA rates to the 30th percentile of local rents in April 2020. This significant investment of nearly £1billion has provided 1.5 million claimants with an average £600 more housing support last year than they would otherwise have received. We have also maintained Local Housing Allowance rates at the same cash level for 2021/2022. For those who require additional support with housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available. Since 2011 we have provided over £1 billion in DHP funding. We have allocated a further £140 million for DHPs for 2021/22 in England and Wales.

Universal Credit

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of rental arrears on the ability of universal credit claimants to gain employment.

David Rutley: No such assessments have been made of the potential effect of rent arrears on the ability of claimants to gain employment. For 2020/21 we are projected to have spent almost £30 billion to support renters with their housing costs. This included a boost of almost £1 billion to the Local Housing Allowance in response to Covid-19, which provided 1.5 million households in the private rented sector with around £600 more in housing support over the year. We have maintained Local Housing Allowance rates at the same cash level for 2021/22. For those claimants struggling with their single monthly rent payment, and as a result are at risk of financial harm, there are alternative payment arrangements, which in certain circumstances, can allow a claimant to receive more frequent Universal Credit payments. For those who require additional support with housing costs Discretionary Housing Payments are available and since 2011 we have provided over £1 billion in Discretionary Housing Payments funding. We have allocated a further £140 million for Discretionary Housing Payments for 2021/22 in England and Wales. We also recognise that some private renters have rent arrears built up as a result of the pandemic and vulnerable households may need additional support. We are therefore providing an additional £65 million, through a one-off top up to the Homelessness Prevention Grant, for local authorities to help vulnerable households with rent arrears to reduce the risk of them being evicted and becoming homeless.

Employment: Disability

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many organisations have signed up to the Government’s Voluntary reporting on disability, mental health and wellbeing framework in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.

Chloe Smith: Employers are not required to inform government whether or not they are using the Voluntary Reporting Framework (VRF), which is intended primarily as a tool to foster transparency and help employers drive cultural change at an organisational level. However, in November 2019 we introduced a requirement that new and renewing Disability Confident Leaders (Level 3) would record information on disability employment and mental health using the VRF. As of 30th September 2021 there are 375 Disability Confident Leaders, 251 of which have notified us they are recording information using the VRF. The remaining Disability Confident Leaders will be expected to confirm that they are recording information using the VRF when they reach their renewal dates. We do not keep detailed information on the geographic location of these employers.The Cabinet Office's Disability Unit will be undertaking a consultation on disability workforce reporting in the coming months, as announced in the National Disability Strategy.

Social Security Benefits: Deductions

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of (a) employment and support allowance, (b) jobseeker's allowance, (c) income support and (d) pension credit claimants had deductions made to their payments by (i) categories of third party debt deductions, (ii) benefit overpayments and (iii) other types of deductions in May 2021.

David Rutley: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Children: Day Care

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of eligible universal credit claimants in Blackpool North and Cleveleys are claiming for childcare.

David Rutley: The number of households on Universal Credit and those with Child Care entitlement, broken down by Parliamentary Constituency, can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Pensioners: Poverty

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the numbers of pensioners living in poverty in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England; what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the levels of pensioner poverty in those areas; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the welfare system in helping to alleviate levels of pensioner poverty in those areas.

Guy Opperman: Since 2010, the Government has increased the full yearly value of the basic State Pension by over £2,050 in cash terms. The full basic State Pension in 2010 was £97.65 per week and is now £137.60 per week. There are now 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty (both before and after housing costs) than in 2009/10. The Government is committed to action that helps to alleviate levels of pensioner poverty. For current pensioners, this includes the new State Pension and Pension Credit. For future pensioners, it also includes auto-enrolment into workplace pensions, which has transformed pension saving for millions of workers; and our 50 plus: choices agenda which aims to maximise the labour market opportunities for people to earn and save for longer. Information is not available at constituency or local authority level and It is not yet possible to produce a robust estimate of the impact of Covid-19 as is sought.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Matt Rodda: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of women affected by the underpayment of the State Pension.

Guy Opperman: A written statement about the State Pension Correction Exercise was published on 22 October 2021 which is available using the following online link: - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-underpayments-progress-on-cases-reviewed-to-30-september-2021/state-pension-underpayments-progress-on-cases-reviewed-to-30-september-2021

Kickstart Scheme

Cherilyn Mackrory: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart scheme placements for young people have been (a) approved, (b) advertised and (c) started in each (i) nation, (ii) region and (iii) business sector since the beginning of that scheme.

Mims Davies: As of the 26th October, almost 94,000 young people have started a Kickstart job. With the current pace of starts, we are confident that in early November over 100,000 young people will have started in a Kickstart job. This is an amazing achievement with the first jobs having started only a year ago. We will continue to offer Kickstart jobs to many thousands more. As of the 26th of October, over 213,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply to through the scheme and over 304,000 jobs have been approved for funding. From 28/09/2021 to 25/10/2021, on average over 6,700 Kickstart jobs were made available each week, and on average over 3,400 young people started a Kickstart job each week. Below are tables listing the number of Kickstart jobs which have been made available and started by young people to date by geographical area of Great Britain and work sector. The figures used are correct as of the 25th of October and these figures have been rounded according to departmental standards. Jobs made available and starts quoted here include some unfunded Kickstart jobs. Over time, some previously approved jobs have been removed where the employer chose not to follow up the application. Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system, which has been developed quickly. The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme. Table 1- Kickstart jobs made available and started by location.LocationJobs Made AvailableCumulative Jobs StartedEast Midlands13,0405,700East of England17,0106,550London45,76019,840North East8,5604,360North West26,27011,920Scotland15,7507,990South East23,88010,100South West14,9905,990Wales11,1604,500West Midlands19,0708,590Yorkshire and The Humber16,6207,380*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals.   Table 2- Kickstart jobs made available and started by sector.SectorJobs Made AvailableCumulative Jobs StartedAdministration52,32023,240Animal Care1,220720Beauty & Wellbeing1,480750Business & Finance7,7203,400Computing Technology & Digital14,6907,780Construction & Trades6,2902,900Creative & Media17,1209,280Delivery & Storage6,1702,650Emergency & Uniform Services490200Engineering & Maintenance6,6102,850Environment & Land3,9501,870Government Services750280Healthcare5,4601,960Home Services1,540490Hospitality & Food25,1307,670Law & Legal450290Managerial1,090450Manufacturing5,8102,470Retail & Sales32,08015,300Science & Research850460Social Care4,8201,530Sports & Leisure5,0102,290Teaching & Education9,7703,660Transport730190Travel & Tourism670270*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals.

Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will reduce the number of benefits assessments for terminally ill people by extending the length of awards under the Special Rules for Terminal Illnesses.

Chloe Smith: The Department provides fast-track access to benefits for people who are nearing the end of their lives through the Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI). The Special Rules provide access to benefit without waiting periods. Awards are made on the basis of a paper-based assessment and claimants usually receive the highest rates of benefit. For the majority of cases made under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, people are given three year awards. This approach is based on a recommendation from an expert advisory group, initially for Disability Living Allowance, but later adopted in other benefits. The three year awards given to SRTI claims strikes a balance that recognises making a prognosis is not an exact science. The majority of claims made under the Special Rules sadly do not reach three years but for those that do, we want to ensure that people continue to receive the right level of support. Any further claims would also likely be made under the Special Rules, avoiding the need for [face to face] assessment.

Work Capability Assessment: Terminal Illnesses

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessments her Department has made on the equity of requiring people diagnosed with a terminal condition and whose symptoms are clear to complete a work capability assessment.

Chloe Smith: The Department provides fast-track access to Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance for people who are nearing the end of their lives through the Special Rules for Terminal Illness. The Special Rules provide access to benefit without waiting periods. Awards are made on the basis of a paper-based assessment and claimants usually receive the highest rates of benefit. On 8th July 2021, following an extensive evaluation into how the benefits system supports people nearing the end of their lives, the Department announced its intention to replace the current 6-month rule with a 12-month, end of life definition. We also sought views in Shaping Future Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper on how best to support people with severe and lifelong conditions to access ESA, the additional health-related element of UC and Personal Independence Payment. Responses will inform a White Paper to be published next year.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Sewers: Fats

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to tackle drain blockages and fatbergs.

Rebecca Pow: Defra is considering a range of options to tackle drain blockages and fatbergs. My officials are working to assess the effects of wet wipes containing plastic on sewers and identify possible solutions. The incorrect disposal of wet wipes can be one of the main causes of sewer blockages. Wipes often then combine with fats, oil and grease, which are also often disposed of down sinks into drains, and combine to form fatbergs. Defra also continues to encourage the water industry and wet wipe manufacturers to work together to raise consumer awareness about the appropriate disposal of wet wipes and other non-flushable products. This will be crucial for generating meaningful behavioural change with consumers and customers.

Trees: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) plant more trees and (b) preserve existing tree species in the UK.

Rebecca Pow: The Government has committed to increasing tree planting in the UK to 30,000 hectares per year by the end of this parliament.As supported in both the England Trees Action Plan (ETAP), published in May and most recently the Net Zero Strategy, published in October, we have set out various commitments to boost tree planting, establishment and management in England; support a thriving green economy through more private investment in trees and woodlands; and bring trees closer to people. In England, we are boosting the existing £640 million Nature for Climate Fund with a further £124 million of new money, ensuring total spend of more than £750 million by 2025 on peat restoration, woodland creation and management – above and beyond what was promised in the manifesto.We continue to support activities to enhance production, processing and supply of UK tree seeds from a wider range of species and provenances. One hundred percent of trees planted by Forestry England in a forestry setting are UK grown. This has been the position for the last three years.As set out in ETAP we have committed to several increases in tree protection in England. This includes launching three Forestry Innovation Funds to restore vulnerable woodland habitats and help woodlands adapt to a changing climate and recover from the impacts of pests and diseases. Additionally, through the Environment Bill we will reform the current felling license regime to crack down on illegal tree felling, as well as introducing a duty to consult.

Disposable Wipes and Sanitary Protection: Labelling

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy on accurately labelling (a) sanitary and (b) toilet products in respect to whether they are flushable.

Rebecca Pow: In line with our Resources and Waste Strategy for England, we are considering the best approach to minimising the environmental impact of a range of products, including absorbent hygiene products, taking on board the environmental and social impacts of the options available. There are a number of policy measures available to us, including standards and consumer information, as well as encouraging voluntary action by business. We are seeking powers through the Environment Bill that will enable us to, where appropriate and subject to consultation, introduce eco-design and consumer information requirements including labelling schemes that provide accurate information to consumers, to drive the market towards more sustainable products. The water industry has developed their ‘Fine to Flush’ standard for wet wipe products and Defra is considering a range of policy options to tackle the issue.

Inland Waterways: East of England

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Environment Agency consultation entitled Boat registration charges proposals from 1 January 2022, published in July 2021, what assessment he has made of the potential for increased charges by up to 60 per cent to reduce the overall number of users of the Anglian Waterways.

Rebecca Pow: The Environment Agency's proposed approach was discussed with boat user representatives in advance of consultation and was broadly supported. The individual impacts were assessed and included in the consultation, showing more substantial impacts for customers on the Anglian waterways. The Environment Agency has listened to feedback, including from Anglian customers, and will be taking these concerns into account in its final proposals, due to be published shortly.

Rivers: Nature Conservation

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to prevent deterioration in river wildlife; and what resources he will provide to local authorities in England to protect and restore water habitats.

Rebecca Pow: River basin management plans (RBMPs) set out objectives and put in place measures to protect, enhance and manage our surface waters, including the conservation objectives for protected sites. The 2015 RBMPs confirmed £3 billion investment over the period to 2021. In England this has led to over 11,000km of surface water being enhanced since the 2015 plans were published. The next update of the plans has just been published for consultation by the Environment Agency (EA) and I encourage local authorities and all interested parties to engage in that process. Many of our rivers are designated as protected sites, in whole or in part, in view of their national and/or international importance. These provisions provide a high level of protection but also rely on a broad range of complementary measures to secure their conservation, often at the catchment scale. These measures are an important part of river basin planning. In addition, Defra and the EA are working together to tackle the main pressures affecting the water environment and freshwater habitats. We are tackling river and lake pollution from poor farming practice with regulation, financial incentives and educational schemes for farmers. Water company investment in environmental improvements has been scaled up to £7.1 billion over the period 2020-25. The storm overflow task force and new measures through the Environment Bill will focus effort on reducing harms from storm overflows and our new chemicals strategy will build on an already robust statutory regime to ensure chemicals are managed and handled safely. We will also be setting at least one new, legally binding target on water quality through the Environment Bill.

Rivers: Sewage

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to help ensure untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers in Enfield North constituency.

Rebecca Pow: We have made it crystal clear to water companies that they must reduce significantly sewage discharges from storm overflows as a priority. The draft Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat sets out our expectation that companies work to significantly reduce storm overflows for the first time and we expect funding to be approved for water companies to be able to do so. We have announced that we’ll put that instruction on a statutory footing with a new duty on water companies to reduce progressively impacts of sewage discharges. We are also already taking action through the Environment Bill and have introduced a range of new legally binding commitments on both water companies and Government to tackle this issue. The Environment Bill includes the following new duties directly on water companies to:publish statutory Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans, for the first time, setting out how they will reduce overflows, as well as detailing other improvements, and provides the power for Government to direct companies if these plans are inadequate;monitor water quality up and downstream of areas potentially affected by discharges;publish data on storm overflow operation on an annual basis;publish near real time information - within 1 hour - on the operation of storm overflows. We are also taking action to challenge underperforming companies and are working hard to drive up monitoring and transparency to tackle non-compliance and pollution incidents, including through the work of the Storm Overflows Taskforce. The Storm Overflows Taskforce, launched last year, is continuing to push forward work with industry, and we won’t hesitate to hold companies to account where necessary. Earlier this year Southern Water was handed a record-breaking £90 million fine, and Thames Water was fined £4 million and £2.3 million for separate incidents. Furthermore, the Government has committed to publish a plan next September to set out the detail of how we expect water companies to achieve significant reductions in sewage discharges and the harm they cause.

Inland Waterways: East of England

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Environment Agency consultation entitled Boat registration charges proposals from 1 January 2022, published in July 2021, if he will meet boat users from the Anglian Waterways to discuss the impacts of the proposed increases to annual registration charges.

Rebecca Pow: The Environment Agency has been engaging with boat user representatives throughout the development of and consultation on their charge proposals, and continues to do so. They are aware of the views raised by boat users from the Anglian Waterways and will be taking these concerns into account in its final proposals, due to be published shortly.

Tree Planting

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of trees that have been planted in England in 2021 to date.

Rebecca Pow: The Forestry Commission produces Official Statistics on England's woodland area annually for each financial year in thousands of hectares.The latest available figures are for 2020-21, reporting 2.06 thousand hectares of new tree planting in England.For all new planting of woodland since 2020-21, there is also a published estimate of the approximate number of trees this represents, available from the Forestry Commission Key Performance Indicators. These are available for the first quarter of 2021-22, reporting 0.47 thousand hectares (equivalent to 926,000 trees) of new tree planting in England. The planting season is over the winter so is only just starting for 2021-22.Planting rates in 2020-21 were impacted by Covid-19. The England Trees Action Plan published in May 2021 stated our aim to at least treble tree planting rates in England by end of this Parliament.

Fisheries

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing commercial fishing practices to ensure that fishing practices that are incompatible with the delivery of the Government's climate objectives are phased out in a fair and transparent manner.

Victoria Prentis: The Climate Change Objective in the Fisheries Act ensures that future fisheries management policy will mitigate against the effects of fishing on climate change, as well as adapting to any future impacts of climate change. Fisheries administrations will introduce legally binding policies, for example, to mitigate and reduce emissions, to achieve this objective in the Joint Fisheries Statement. In addition, UK Fisheries Authorities will develop Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) which will set out in detail the management measures needed for sustainable harvesting and measures to minimise the impact of fishing activity on the environment. Plans will be regularly reviewed against indicators to monitor the FMPs effectiveness in meeting its goals and targets against stock health and sustainability, levels of compliance and wider ecosystem health.

Aluminium: Shortages

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the British pie industry on shortages of aluminium for pie foil casings.

Victoria Prentis: Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. These include extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains, including those for food packaging. British pie manufacturers have not raised concerns with Defra about aluminium packaging availability for pie foil casings, but we are aware of issues raised more generally by the food and drink industry due to packaging shortages. We will continue those conversations to explore further impacts and discuss potential solutions.

Seasonal Workers: Pilot Schemes

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many complaints operators of the Seasonal Worker Pilot have received from workers employed as part of that scheme.

Victoria Prentis: Defra works closely with the Home Office and the Gangmasters Labour and Abuse Authority (GLAA) to monitor and evaluate the Seasonal Workers Pilot against its stated aims and ensure that its rules and regulations are being adhered to. The Government takes the safety and wellbeing of seasonal workers extremely seriously. The Home Office sponsor licencing system places clear and binding requirements and obligations on the operators of the Seasonal Workers Pilot to safeguard seasonal workers. The Seasonal Workers Pilot requires the operators to ensure all seasonal workers have a safe working environment, are treated fairly and paid properly, and robust systems are in place for the reporting of concerns and rapid action. A prerequisite for becoming an operator is that each organisation must hold and maintain licencing from the GLAA. Defra would be notified should an operator or farm not be meeting the required standards and appropriate action taken.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government is on track to deliver its commitment to (a) enable the deployment of a cattle bTB vaccine by 2025 and (b) improve testing regimes for cattle; how many farmers and livestock keepers have implemented the bespoke advice on improving biosecurity standards on farms across England given to them by the bTB Advisory Service; and if he will make a statement.

Victoria Prentis: The Government is on track to deliver its ambition to enable the deployment of a cattle TB vaccine by 2025. Default six monthly routine surveillance testing of cattle herds was introduced in the High Risk Area (HRA) counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire in September 2020 and was extended to the rest of the HRA from July 2021. The additional TB tests have been scheduled and will be conducted from January 2022. Herds that have been in existence for at least six years and have not had a TB breakdown in that period and/or are accredited under the Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS) for bTB qualify to remain on annual surveillance testing. Following a public consultation at the beginning of 2021, the Government refined its interferon-gamma testing policy for TB breakdown herds in the High Risk and Edge Areas. The more sensitive interferon-gamma blood test is now used to supplement the skin test in recurrent breakdown herds and those that suffer a TB incident within 18 months of a previous incident. The Government has also committed to implementing compulsory post-movement TB testing of cattle moved from higher risk areas of GB into annual surveillance testing parts of the Edge Area. Prior to implementing this policy change, we are considering responses to the recent call for views exercise on more sensitive TB testing options. We are awaiting a final report from the first iteration of the TB Advisory Service, on the implementation of biosecurity measures following the provision of bespoke advice visits to cattle keepers in the High Risk and Edge Areas of England. Information from this shall be shared once received.

Home Office

Refugees: Afghanistan

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) longest and (b) median length of stay is of Afghans evacuated under Operation Pitting who remain in hotel accommodation.

Victoria Atkins: A significant cross Government effort is underway to ensure the thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the UK receive the support they need to rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education, and integrate into local communities.We continue to work with local authorities to source appropriate accommodation as quickly as possible, although we have had to use hotels as a temporary measure due to unprecedented demand. In the meantime, we are providing wrap around support to enable families to build successful lives in the UK.

Road Traffic Offences: Drugs

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of delay was in forensic analysis on trends in the level of drug driving charges, for each of the last five years.

Kit Malthouse: The Home Office does not hold this information.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Mr Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme will be re-opened.

Victoria Atkins: The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not yet open. Officials are working urgently to stand up the remaining elements of the scheme, amid the complex and changing picture.The Government will continue to work closely with other government departments, non-governmental organisations, charities, local authorities and other partners and relevant organisations in the development and implementation of the ACRS.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who have come to the UK from Afghanistan and are waiting for resettlement are residing in (a) quarantine and (b) bridging hotels was at 19 October 2021.

Victoria Atkins: We can confirm that on 19 October, none of the individuals evacuated from Afghanistan as part of Operation Pitting were in managed quarantine hotels as they had already completed their quarantine period; Save for those already permanently settled in accommodation, who have their own means of accommodation, or are a third country nationals in transit. All those evacuated under Op Pitting are currently in bridging accommodation.

Extradition: China

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking in response to reports of Red Notices having been issued by the Chinese Government against British Parliamentarians.

Kit Malthouse: The Government views any allegation of misuse of INTERPOL’s systems very seriously and works closely with INTERPOL to ensure the legitimacy of the Red Notice system.Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution forbids the organisation from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.All Red Notices are subject to review by a multi-disciplinary Notices and Diffusions Task Force in INTERPOL prior to publication to ensure legal compliance and prevent abuse of INTERPOL systems. In November 2019 the Home Office seconded a lawyer to INTERPOL to support the work of the Taskforce. Furthermore, the Commission on the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) can provide additional scrutiny of Red Notices where requested by individuals.We continue to monitor the effectiveness of existing safeguards and will not hesitate to recommend further reforms to Interpol as necessary.

UN Climate Conference 2021: Security

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether security details for dignitaries visiting COP26 will be required to adhere to Scottish and UK laws on the carrying of firearms and weapons.

Kit Malthouse: While it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific security arrangements that are being put in place for COP26, it is the case that UK firearms law will apply.

Antisocial Behaviour: Enfield North

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of antisocial behaviour in Enfield North constituency.

Kit Malthouse: The Government is committed to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour (ASB). We know the serious impact that persistent ASB can have on both individuals and communities. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides a range of flexible tools and powers to local agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour. Local areas decide how best to deploy these powers depending on the specific circumstances. As the powers are local in nature, the Home Office only collects data at Police Force Area level and not at lower levels of geography.The Office for National Statistics annually publishes anti-social behaviour incidents reported to the police by Police Force Area. The latest available data for year to March 2021 can be found here:Crime in England and Wales: Police Force Area data tables - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Sexual Offences: Drugs

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of a potential trend of a rise in the number of crime reports alleging that a victim had been spiked with drugs by injection; and if she will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: The reports of the spiking of drinks with illegal substances, and of other attacks on individuals in night time venues, are of course concerning. This is an ongoing matter which the police are investigating. We would encourage anyone who is a victim or a witness of the offences to report the information to the police. Information about spiking has been made available on the Government’s website for information about drugs, FRANK.

Members: Correspondence

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the letter dated 30 July 2021 from the hon. member for West Lancashire on the budget for asylum arrivals, reference ZA57251.

Tom Pursglove: I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon Member. A reply was sent on 20 October 2021

Deportation: Afghanistan

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghan nationals were issued with Notices of Intent under the inadmissibility rules in each month from June to September 2021 inclusive.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum claimants issued with Notices of Intent have since been admitted for substantive consideration before the six month long-stop as a result of there being no reasonable prospect of removal.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases there have been where an asylum claimant has had their claim suspended for longer than six months under the Inadmissibility Rules.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of time is between asylum claimants’ claims being suspended under the Inadmissibility Rules and those claims being admitted for substantive consideration.

Tom Pursglove: The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of notices of intent issued and can be found online at:How many people do we grant asylum or protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)A breakdown of these figures into nationality is not currently available however we are working to bring inadmissibility and nationality data in line with current reporting and hope to publish that information in the near future.Timescales between inadmissibility decision points is fluid and continually evolving. Such data is not currently held in a reportable way and to gather it could only be achieved at a disproportionate cost.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data. Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

Asylum: Afghanistan

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 28 September 2021 to Question 51893 on Asylum: Afghanistan, for what reason a breakdown of those figures by nationality is not currently available; and what plans she has to provide that data in the future.

Tom Pursglove: The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of notices of intent issued and can be found online at:How many people do we grant asylum or protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)A breakdown of these figures into nationality is not currently available however we are working to bring inadmissibility and nationality data in line with current reporting and hope to publish that information in the near future.

Members: Correspondence

Robert Largan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the enquiry from the hon. Member for High Peak of 30 July 2021, reference RL25014.

Tom Pursglove: A response was sent by the Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration on 20 October 2021.

Domestic Violence: Migrants

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to assess the adequacy of access to refuges for migrant victims of domestic abuse.

Rachel Maclean: This Government is committed to supporting all victims of domestic abuse, regardless of immigration status. We know that access to safe accommodation can be a vital lifeline for those fleeing an abusive situation.In April this year the Home Office launched the £1.5 million Support for Migrant Victims Scheme to support migrant victims of domestic abuse who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). The pilot is being run by Southall Black Sisters and their delivery partners for a duration of 12 months and provides accommodation and wrap-around support. We have also appointed an independent evaluator, Behavioural Insights Ltd, to assess the Scheme, with a view to producing a final report in Summer 2022. The Scheme will help the Government secure an accurate picture of the support needs of migrant victims of domestic abuse and will inform subsequent policy decisions.We already offer support to migrant victims of domestic abuse in the UK as a partner under the family Immigration Rules, through our Destitute Domestic Violence Concession, which enables individuals to access public funds for three months and can be used to fund safe accommodation. These victims can also apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) under the Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain Rules.

Sexual Offences: Email

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2021 to Question 169852 on Sexual Offences, who is responsible for safeguarding people who may be being exploited as a result of receiving sexually explicit emails; and what investigations have been undertaken to date by that body.

Rachel Maclean: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will assess and forward information it receives through its reporting process to other organisations who may have an interest or a responsibility.This information is shared according to the specific nature of the issue raised with the ICO and may include the Police. We would expect all agencies to share information with the relevant bodies and take appropriate action to ensure the safeguarding of individuals where there is cause for concern. If an individual receives unsolicited spam containing adult content, we would encourage them to make a report to the ICO through their website and select ‘adult content’.Their report will be assessed and investigated where necessary. The online form is available at: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/nuisance-calls-and-messages/spam-emails/report-spam-emails/The ICO does not publish information on its ongoing investigations or enforcement action which they have taken specifically against email spam, including those emails which are sexually explicit. Further information on their enforcement activity relating to broader marketing is available on the ICO website: https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/enforcement/?facet_type=&facet_sector=Marketing&facet_date=&date_from=&date_to=

Hate Crime: LGBT People

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to tackle the recent increase of reported violent hate crimes towards LGBTQ+ people in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) Greater London and (c) England.

Rachel Maclean: All forms of hate crime are completely unacceptable.Whilst the biggest driver for the increase in recorded crime is general improvements in police recording, along with increased victim willingness to come forward, we cannot be complacent. That is why we have committed to publishing a new Hate Crime Strategy later this year.The Government has commissioned a Law Commission review of the adequacy of current hate crime legislation. The review will report this year and we will respond to it when it is complete.Government action to tackle broader discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people includes:A commitment to holding an international conference on LGBT rights; the “Safe To Be Me” conference will be held in 2022.The September 2020 announcement of a further £3.2 million of UK-funded projects to help Commonwealth governments and civil society groups reform outdated laws and end the legacy of discrimination and violence.Bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy as soon as Parliamentary time allows and making new funds available to ensure that victims have better access to the support they need.The Government will continue to work with the police, stakeholders including Galop and others to understand the concerns of LGBTQ+ communities and what more can be done to address those concerns.

Cosmetics: Animal Experiments

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent animal testing for cosmetic (a) products and (b) product ingredients.

Rachel Maclean: The Home Office is responsible for the operation of the regulatory framework underpinning the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.The Home Office’s role is to protect the animals used in science by ensuring in so far as possible that relevant bodies and individuals comply with their duties under the ASPA.The Home Office do this through considering and making decisions on applications for licences for testing, based on the underlying legal requirements, as well as carrying out enforcement activity and compliance assurance activities during the lifetime of a licence, for example through inspections. This includes ensuring that no animal testing is conducted in circumstances where there are practicable alternatives.

Cosmetics: Animal Experiments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions has she had with large cosmetic firms in the UK on cosmetic testing on (a) mice, (b) rats and (c) other small animals.

Rachel Maclean: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has not had recent conversations with cosmetic firms in the United Kingdom.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 September 2021 to Question 51826 on Refugees: Afghanistan, what her Department's timeframe is for notifying each person (a) under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy and (b) those moving onto the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme of their Indefinite Leave to Remain status.

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 28 September 2021 to Question 51838 on Immigration: Afghanistan, whether her Department has a timeline for contacting all those Afghans nationals who have recently arrived in the UK to ensure they have the appropriate and correct leave arrangements.

Victoria Atkins: Following the policy statement, the Government published on 13 September, we will be working through the cases of those who have recently arrived from Afghanistan and will be processing them in line with the published policy.The Home Office is contacting those here in the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy and those moving onto the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, in order to assist them to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain status from early November onwards.No one will be required to leave the United Kingdom, or be disadvantaged in any way, while we work through their cases.More information can be found in the Afghanistan Resettlement and Immigration Policy Statementhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement-accessible-version#afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy

Afghanistan: Visas

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to assist Afghan nationals seeking to apply for a visa to travel to the UK under existing immigration routes while biometric information cannot be submitted from the British Embassy in Kabul.

Kevin Foster: We recommend people in Afghanistan do not make applications and pay application fees at this time as they will not be considered until biometrics are provided. Biometrics are an essential part of ensuring identity can be confirmed and the performance of key national security related checks.The UK is working with international partners to secure safe routes out of Afghanistan as soon as they become available, starting with those in most need.Those Afghans who are outside of Afghanistan and able to get to a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometrics can make an application in the usual way.

Visas: Afghanistan

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much revenue has been generated from visa applications from citizens of Afghanistan since 1 September 2021.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office does not hold the information in the format requested.

Visas: Afghanistan

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how people in Afghanistan are being advised to apply for a visa and submit an application without their valid passport.

Kevin Foster: We recommend people in Afghanistan do not make applications and pay application fees at this time as they will not be considered until biometrics are provided.The UK is working with international partners to secure safe routes out of Afghanistan, starting with those in most need.Those Afghans who are outside of Afghanistan and able to get to a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometrics can make an application in the usual way.

Visas: Afghanistan

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa applications have been granted to citizens of Afghanistan since 1 September 2021.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office publishes data on visa applications and decisions by nationality of the applicant in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’.Data on the number of visa applications and decisions are published in tables Vis_D01 and Vis_D02 of the entry clearance visas applications and outcomes dataset. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2021.Data for the year ending September 2021 is scheduled for publication on 25 November, 2021.

Visas: Afghanistan

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa applications from citizens in Afghanistan have been declined since 1 September 2021.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office publishes data on visa applications and decisions by nationality of the applicant in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of visa applications and decisions are published in tables Vis_D01 and Vis_D02 of the entry clearance visas applications and outcomes dataset. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2021. Data for the year ending September 2021 is scheduled for publication on 25 November, 2021.

Visas: Afghanistan

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa applications her Department has received for processing from citizens of Afghanistan since 1 September 2021.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office publishes data on visa applications and decisions by nationality of the applicant in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of visa applications and decisions are published in tables Vis_D01 and Vis_D02 of the entry clearance visas applications and outcomes dataset. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2021. Data for the year ending September 2021 is scheduled for publication on 25 November, 2021.

Perinatal Mortality: Registration

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when registrars will return to arrangements where the parents of stillborn babies could register both the death and the birth of their child in one appointment.

Kevin Foster: The arrangements have not changed. Still-births continue to be registered as a single entry in the still-birth register and are not recorded in the birth and death registers.

Immigration: Afghanistan

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for a fee waiver in respect of an overseas entry clearance human rights application her Department has received from Afghan nationals since 15 August 2021; and how many of those applications have been placed on hold.

Kevin Foster: Home Office Migration Statistics do not currently capture the number of applications for overseas fee waivers received or placed on hold since the previous policy was suspended and the new route has not been officially launched.

Visas: Voluntary Work

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Tier 5 visas were granted to volunteers in (a) 2020 and (b) 2021.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 5 visas were received from people wishing to volunteer for charities in the UK in (a) 2020 and (b) 2021 to date.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office publishes data on visas in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of applications and the number of granted applications regarding Temporary Work – Charity Worker visas are published in tables Vis_D01 and Vis_D02 of the entry clearance visas applications and outcomes dataset, respectively.Please note, for the outcomes of applications data, the year and quarter refer to the date at which the case outcome was decided and not the date at which the application was received. If you wish to calculate the grant rate of Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa applications, it is recommended the best estimate is found by calculating the proportion of the number of grants to the total number of resolved cases for each quarter.Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2021.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

Immigration: Fees and Charges

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many overseas entry clearance fee waivers have been granted since March 2021.

Kevin Foster: Home Office Migration Statistics do not currently capture the number of applications for overseas fee waivers received or placed on hold since the previous policy was suspended and the new route has not been officially launched.

Hamas: Proscribed Organisations

Christian Wakeford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government's proscription of Hamas.

Damian Hinds: Hamas’ military wing was proscribed in the UK in 2001.The investigation and prosecution of proscription offences is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service. It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further on such matters. Anyone that professes support for, or who is a member of Military Wing risks being investigated by the police for proscription offences.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has a deadline by which (a) ACM and (b) non-ACM cladding should be removed.

Christopher Pincher: The removal and replacement of unsafe cladding is the responsibility of the owners of individual buildings. The Government is supporting the remediation of unsafe cladding on eligible residential buildings of 18 metres and above through the provision of £5.1 billion in funding and the provision of expert construction consultancy support to building owners, and where remediation is not happening quickly enough we are supporting enforcement action against them.This data can be found here:ACM data: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/aluminium-composite-material-cladding#acm-remediation-dataBuilding Safety Fund (non-ACM) data: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remediation-of-non-acm-buildings#building-safety-fund-registration-statistics

British National (Overseas): Hong Kong

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps has his Department taken to support into employment Hong Kongers with BN(O) passports who are struggling to find jobs.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of BN(O) arrivals in the UK who have found full time employment.

Kemi Badenoch: The DLUHC Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme seeks to support BN(O) status holders as they make their homes and lives in the UK - this includes finding employment. Our network of Welcome Hubs across the UK can provide support and practical advice, alongside the Welcome Pack, published on GOV.UK in both English and Cantonese, which provides guidance on searching for employment.The BN(O) route is a generous offer that the Government is making to BN(O) status holders and their dependants, and who are expected to be self-sufficient. To be eligible for the BN(O) route, applicants must prove they are able to sustain themselves and their families in the UK for six months, allowing time to settle in the UK and seek employment. However, we do recognise and expect that BN(O) status holders will want to contribute to UK society as soon as possible, and we appreciate the challenges of finding full-time employment and that this may take time. To further support BN(O) status holders into employment, we announced £2.6 million of Voluntary Community Social Enterprise (VCSE) grant funding in July, and we are presently assessing applications for the funding. These grant schemes will see various integration initiatives, including employability support based on best practice with a focus on skills, employment sustainability and combating under-employment.

British National (Overseas): Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how much and what proportion of the £43 million support package for BN(O) arrivals has been spent.

Kemi Badenoch: In April, DLUHC launched a £43 million UK-wide Welcome Programme for 2021-22 to support British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] status holders as they arrive in the UK and settle into their new communities.We have distributed £3.6 million to establish a network of 12 virtual Welcome Hubs across the UK, helping to coordinate support and offer practical advice to BN(O) status holders In July, we announced £2.6 million of Voluntary Community Social Enterprise (VCSE) grant funding to support the integration of BN(O) status holders further through employment, mental health and wellbeing initiatives. We are presently assessing applications for this funding.£30.7 million is also available to local authorities in England to provide targeted English language provision, and where needed, destitution support for those BN(O) status holders whose circumstances change. A further £5.8 million has been provided to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland through the Barnett formula.

Council Tax

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of anticipated increases in council tax on child poverty.

Kemi Badenoch: Council tax levels are set by local authorities, although the Secretary of State determines referendum principles to ensure that residents can have the final say over excessive increases. The provisional local government finance settlement will set out full details of the proposed referendum principles for 2022-23. The settlement and referendum principles will be subject to agreement by Parliament in the usual way. Local authorities maintain locally designed council tax support schemes to help people facing financial difficulty.

Members: Correspondence

Robert Largan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to respond to the enquiry of the hon. Member for High Peak dated 12 August 2021, reference RL25646.

Kemi Badenoch: The response to the letter was sent out on 27 October 2021.

Local Government: Meetings

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to publish the (a) results and (b) response to the Remote meetings: Call for evidence which closed on 17 June 2021.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the impact of returning to in-person council meetings on (a) conducting council business and (b) attendance at meetings by (i) councillors and (ii) members of the public.

Kemi Badenoch: The Department is reviewing the responses to the consultation and will respond in due course. Any permanent change would require legislation, and would depend upon Parliamentary time being available.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2021 to Question 41609 on National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service, for what reason that Answer did not provide the figures requested for the quantity and proportion of the private funding required for the creation of the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre that had been raised as of 2 September 2021.

Kemi Badenoch: The money is being raised by an independent charity.

Devolved Matters

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government’s relations with the devolved Administrations.

Neil O'Brien: The UK government is committed to positive and effective intergovernmental relations with devolved governments and is ready to establish new ways of working.The last year has shown that extensive collaboration on a range of issues is the best way to achieve the best outcomes for all UK citizens.

Coastal Areas: Government Assistance

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support he is providing to the UK’s coastal communities.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support his Department is providing to the UK’s coastal communities.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto published by Maritime UK and the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group.

Neil O'Brien: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to question UIN 58764 on 25 October.

Allotments and Gardens: Urban Areas

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what initiatives have been put in place to support urban areas to develop allotments and community gardening initiatives.

Christopher Pincher: The Government recognises through our National Planning Policy Framework the important role that allotments can provide in enabling and supporting healthy lifestyles within our communities. The Framework is clear that local planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space and opportunities for new provision, which can include allotments, and their plans should then seek to accommodate this.Our National Model Design Code states that as part of open space design for large developments there should be the consideration of allotments and community growing projects for food production, learning and community engagement.

Flats: Insulation

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has received a report from Homes England on the cladding problems at Trinity One, LS9; and when he plans to reach a decision on that building's bid to the Building Safety Fund.

Christopher Pincher: The Department and its delivery partner Homes England are working with the representatives of the building owner of Trinity One to progress its application for the Building Safety Fund as soon as possible.

Buildings: Fire Prevention

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Polluter Pays principle as a way of protecting leaseholders from fire safety remediation costs.

Christopher Pincher: The principle that those responsible for creating building safety defects should pay to put them right has always been the Government’s position.That is why we are taking action through the Building Safety Bill to extend legal rights to redress for shoddy workmanship by retrospectively extending the limitation period under section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 from six to 15 years.These changes will enhance the ability of building owners, homeowners, and leaseholders to seek compensation from those responsible for defective work. Going forward, we are also expanding the Defective Premises Act to include refurbishment works, and we will be commencing section 38 of the Building Act 1984, allowing civil action to be brought regarding breaches of building regulations which have resulted in injury or damage to property. These measures will ensure that those responsible for defective construction work can be held to account for their failures.

Homelessness

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is planning to take to ensure the provision of safe shelter for homeless people facing both the cold and covid-19 over winter 2021-22.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what plans he has to allocate funding for covid-19 secure accommodation for street homeless people in winter 2021-22; and if he will make a statement.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate he has made of the number of homeless night shelter beds that will be available in winter 2021-22.

Eddie Hughes: The Government has committed over £750 million this year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.This includes over £202 million across England for the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI), which is more than an 80% increase from the £112 million provided last year. The funding will provide up to 14,500 bed spaces and 2,700 support staff. Within this year's RSI, local authorities were asked to plan for winter and any other surge capacity throughout the year.We recognise that winter brings with it extra pressures especially with the on-going risk of COVID-19. For this reason, we are we are supporting the voluntary and community sector with the £3.8 million Homelessness Winter Transformation Fund. This funding will help provide safe accommodation that creates a sustained route of the streets by supporting investment in improved accommodation and of self-contained bed spaces over winter 21/22.Night Shelters that are considering opening this winter should consult their local authorities and consider the COVID-19: provision of night shelters guidance on gov.uk, which was drafted with advice from the UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England).

Supported Housing: Older People

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to expand provision of housing-with-care for older people to help reduce pressure on the wider care system.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential barriers in the planning system to the expansion of housing-with-care.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether cross-departmental discussions have taken place on housing-with-care.

Eddie Hughes: Offering older and vulnerable people a better choice of accommodation to suit their changing needs can help them live independently and feel more connected to their communities. This Government is committed to providing suitable homes for older people, including extra care housing, which contributes to levelling up across communities. Housing-with-care allows individuals to choose where they want to live, with whom, how they can best be supported, and what happens in their home. Both the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department of Health and Social Care provide capital funding to incentivise their supply. Our planning rules already mean councils must consider the needs of older people when planning for new homes. In 2019, we published guidance to help councils implement the National Planning Policy Framework policies.We are investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over 5 years, the largest investment in affordable housing in a decade. This includes the new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme, where 10 per cent of delivery over the course of the programme will be used to increase the supply of much needed specialist or supported housing, including retirement housing. The Department of Health and Social Care are also continuing to subsidise new supply of specialist housing for older and disabled people through the Care and Support Specialised Housing (CASSH) Fund.The Government's plan for health and social care, announced on Tuesday 7 September, also recognised the important role of housing, and supported housing in particular, in providing care and support to people in the community.Both the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department of Health and Social Care are committed to further improving the diversity of housing options available to older people and how we can further support its growth. We are engaging closely with both the sector and a range of other stakeholders on this issue.  I look forward to engaging with representatives in the sector further and value their insight.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Stonewall

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what funding his Department has allocated to Stonewall in each of the last five years; and for what projects.

Michael Ellis: Cabinet Office allocated £3000 per year up and until 2020 for Stonewall funding. This was the Cabinet Office’s Stonewall membership fee. The Cabinet Office ceased its Stonewall membership in 2020.

Northern Ireland Protocol

Deidre Brock: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on negotiating a permanent settlement on the Northern Ireland Protocol with the EU.

Michael Ellis: My officials have been in discussions with their EU counterparts since the publishing of the EU’s proposals on 13 October in response to our Command Paper. We are seeking to understand the detail of some of the headline claims the EU has made on issues such as SPS and customs checks.We welcome the fact that the EU is ready to change its laws to reflect the unique context of Northern Ireland.Our officials are continuing to work closely with their EU counterparts, and Lord Frost remains in close contact with Vice-President Šefčovič. While significant gaps remain, we are working intensively to see if they can be bridged.

Cabinet Office: Heating

Jake Berry: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what type of heating system is the primary source of heating in each building occupied by his Department and its agencies; and what fuel is used by those heating systems.

Michael Ellis: The Government Property Agency (GPA) manages approximately 30% of the government’s central estate offices and acts as a landlord to government department clients (including Cabinet Office) located within those offices. GPA is an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office.The majority of GPA’s properties have heating systems served by boilers. This includes the Whitehall District Heating System; a system owned and operated by GPA that distributes heating to premises in the Whitehall estate.GPA’s newly developed assets have utilised more carbon efficient forms of heating. One such example is the new hub in Birmingham at 23 Stephenson Street which has a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system with electricity as its fuel source.As was set out in the Heat and Buildings Strategy and the Net Zero Strategy on 19th October, we are clear that decarbonising public sector buildings will demonstrate leadership, encouraging action in other sectors as well as making a direct contribution to Net Zero. We aim to reduce direct emissions from public sector buildings by 75% against a 2017 baseline by the end of carbon budget 6.Over £1 billion has been committed in the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme over 2020/21 and 2021/22 to support heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency in the public sector, and a further £1.425 billion will be invested over 2022/23 to 2024/25.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: 5 Hertford Street

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what purpose her Department incurred expenditure of £1,308.13 at the 5 Hertford Street Private Members Club on 17 June 2021.

Penny Mordaunt: This was an event hosted by Department for International Trade Secretary of State Liz Truss for the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, as part of wider discussions around trade.

Department for International Trade: UK Visas and Immigration

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what purposes her Department incurred the following items of expenditure on services from the UK Visas and Immigration Agency, (a) £1,199 on 2 June 2020, (b) £2,199 on 3 December 2020, (c) £1,476 on 15 June 2021 and (d) £1,199 on 21 June 2021.

Penny Mordaunt: These expenses are for Tier 2 sponsorship application and visa payments for members of staff joining the department from overseas.

Department for International Trade: Heating

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what type of heating system is the primary source of heating in each building occupied by her Department and its agencies; and what fuel is used by those heating systems.

Penny Mordaunt: The Government Property Agency (GPA) acts as a landlord to government department clients, including Cabinet Office, the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade, the Department for Education and others. The majority of GPA’s properties have heating systems served by gas fired boilers. This includes the Whitehall District Heating System, which is a system owned and operated by GPA that distributes heating to premises in the Whitehall Campus from conventional fossil fuel boilers. GPA’s newly developed assets have utilised more carbon efficient forms of heating, such as the new hub in Birmingham at 23 Stephenson Street, which has a mechanical heat recovery system with electricity as its fuel source. GPA has started a Net Zero Offices Programme, which seeks to remove fossil fuel boilers (where they have reached end of economic life) and replace them with more environmental forms of heating such as use of air source heat pumps and, in the case of the Whitehall District Heating System, the utilisation of ground source heat pumps. The Net Zero Offices Programmes is seeking funding for its heat decarbonisation projects through applications to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: , To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what accountability standards and reporting mechanisms for civilian harm the UK requires of Saudi Arabia for the exports of arms and military equipment; and what the evidence basis is for those requirements.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: Licence applications for the export of arms and military equipment are rigorously assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (the ‘Consolidated Criteria’). A key test for licensing in these circumstances is Criterion 2c of the Consolidated Criteria, which considers whether there is a clear risk that the items to be exported might be used in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law. These assessments take into account all relevant sources of information, and the then Secretary of State for International Trade’s written statement of 7th July 2020 (HCWS339) set out the methodology that is applied to credible incidents of concern in detail.

Shipping: Exports

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support she is providing to increase UK exports of clean maritime technologies.

Mike Freer: I refer the Hon. Member for Denton and Reddish to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Newport West on 27 Oct 2021, UIN: 59048.

Shipping: Exports

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support she is providing to stakeholders to increase UK exports of clean maritime technologies.

Mike Freer: I refer the Hon. Member for Portsmouth South to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Newport West on 27 Oct 2021, UIN: 59048.

Shipping: Exports

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to help increase UK exports of clean maritime technologies.

Mike Freer: The Department for International Trade (DIT) has undertaken several initiatives to boost exports. These include the Internationalisation Fund and Export Academy, available to the English regions, as well as the newly launched Export Support Service accessible to all UK businesses. Similar schemes are available across the Devolved Administrations of the UK through Business Wales, Scottish Development International and Invest Northern Ireland.Furthermore, in addition to the recently launched Green Shipbuilding Campaign designed to promote the UK capability within the clean maritime sector, DIT, in partnership with the Department for Transport, will support the winners of the Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition to promote exportable technology at upcoming events such as COP26.

Horticulture: Overseas Trade

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of (a) the implications for her policies of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group’s action plan entitled Unlocking Green Growth: A plan for the ornamental horticulture and landscaping industry, published on 7 September 2021 and (b) how that document relates to the UK’s trade regime following its departure from the EU.

Penny Mordaunt: The Department recognises that there are export opportunities for ornamental horticulture as outlined in the report. Working together with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, we look forward to engaging further with the industry and continuing to promote plant and seed exports, and services for landscaping, garden design and green urban initiatives. We work closely with the industry to encourage companies to take advantage of the new trade regime and the opportunities offered globally within our new Free Trade Agreements.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Boats: Registration

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Environment Agency consultation entitled Boat registration charges proposals from 1 January 2022, published in July 2021, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on (a) domestic and (b) overseas tourism to the East of England region in the event that the proposed increases in charges for registering boats on the Anglian Waterways go ahead.

Nigel Huddleston: I am aware of the positive impact boating businesses can have on promoting tourism on the waterways however, the responsibility for operational matters on inland waterways, such as boat registration charges, lies with the navigation authority.DCMS is in regular contact with regional tourism stakeholders, including those in the East of England, to track tourism trends across the country and to make sure we best support the sector's recovery from the pandemic.The Environment Agency has listened to the feedback on the proposals and will be taking these concerns into account in its final proposals, which are due to be published shortly.

Football: Sportsgrounds

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of ending the ban on drinking alcohol in the seats at football grounds.

Nigel Huddleston: No assessment has been made. The legislation relating to the consumption of alcohol at football matches is a matter for the Home Office.

Internet: Children

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to put in place formal advocacy arrangements for children, funded by an industry levy, in the Online Safety Bill; and if she will make a statement.

Chris Philp: Protecting children is at the heart of our plans to transform the online experience for people in the UK and the strongest protections in the online safety framework will be for children. Under these new laws, Ofcom will have a statutory duty to establish mechanisms for user advocacy. This is to ensure Ofcom understands the experiences of users, including children, and is able to detect and address issues early on.The costs incurred by Ofcom in carrying out its functions under the Online Safety Bill, will be met by proportionate fees charged to industry.Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill by Parliament is underway, and the Joint Committee is expected to report with their recommendations by 10th December.

Internet: Freedom of Expression

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what protections his Department plans to place in the Online Safety Bill to ensure that nothing within the Bill shall be read or given effect in a way which prohibits or restricts discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, or insult of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents, or of any other belief system or the beliefs or practices of its adherents, or proselytising or urging adherents of a different religion or belief system to cease practising their religion or belief system.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made on whether online content that is considered to be blasphemous would fall within the remit of lawful but harmful content as defined within the Online Safety Bill.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Online Safety Bill, whether it is his Department's policy that discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, or insult of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents are likely to have an adverse psychological impact on an adult of ordinary sensibilities.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Online Safety Bill whether he plans ordinary sensibilities to have any regard to the adult's membership of a class or group of people with a certain characteristic targeted by the content.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what consideration he has given in the drafting of the Online Safety Bill to the case of Handyside v the United Kingdom (1976) which concluded that expressions that offend, shock, or disturb are protected under Article 10 (2) of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that online content which is offensive and not harmful is not wrongly identified as harmful under the Online Safety Bill.

Chris Philp: The draft Online Safety Bill delivers the government’s manifesto commitment to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online while defending free expression.Regulation will not prevent adults from accessing or posting legal content, nor require companies to remove specific pieces of legal content. We recognise that adults have the right to upload and access content that some may find offensive or upsetting.The largest and riskiest services will be required to set out their policies regarding content that is legal but harmful to adults and enforce these consistently. They will no longer be able to arbitrarily remove controversial viewpoints.Users will have access to effective mechanisms to appeal content that is removed without good reason.Our approach will empower adult users to keep themselves safe online, while ensuring children are protected and maintaining robust protections for freedom of expression.

Marketing: Privacy

Sam Tarry: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of online tracking and data harvesting activities by advertising and marketing companies on people's privacy.

Julia Lopez: The use of online tracking technology is regulated by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). This legislation sets rules in relation to organisations’ use of cookies, tracking pixels and similar technologies that track information about people accessing a website or other electronic services. It also requires organisations to give people clear and comprehensive information about the use of tracking technologies, and a choice about whether or not they are applied on devices.The ICO is the independent regulator for PECR and the UK GDPR and has produced guidance for organisations on the use of tracking technologies. It is currently conducting an investigation into use of personal data by the ad-tech industry and will publish its final findings, once the investigation is concluded. Further information can be found on the ICO’s website.People who have privacy concerns in respect of the use of their personal data by any organisation can contact the ICO for further advice or to make a complaint. The ICO can be contacted by telephone on 0303 123 1113 and through their live chat facility. Further contact details are on the ICO’s website. The ICO has a number of tools to take action against those who breach the legislation. For example, it can require organisations to address unlawful practices and impose civil monetary penalties.

Football Index

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, in the context of the collapse of football gambling firm Football Index, what steps she is taking to help ensure that those persons (a) affected by the collapse are compensated and (b) responsible for that collapse are held to account.

Chris Philp: The government appreciates the significant impact that the collapse of the novel gambling product Football Index had on former customers. Administration proceedings for BetIndex, the company which operated Football Index, are continuing. These are looking at the assets and liabilities of the operator and what is owed to customers. It is likely that this process will result in some amounts being reimbursed to creditors.The Gambling Commission has revoked BetIndex’s operating licence and the Personal Management Licences held by senior members of the company have been surrendered. The Commission has also referred the company to the Insolvency Service to ask that they consider whether the actions of the directors prior to administration breached insolvency or fraud laws.

COP26

UN Climate Conference 2021: Russia

Ruth Jones: To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the implications for the outcomes of the COP26 summit of President Putin's decision not to attend that summit.

Alok Sharma: As hosts of COP26, we strongly encourage leaders to attend given this is a critical moment for the future of our planet. The Prime Minister is looking forward to meeting all the leaders who have confirmed attendance – over 120 so far.We look forward to working with the delegation from Russia to bring key negotiations issues to a constructive conclusion at COP26, and to ambitious announcements from Russia to help keep 1.5C in reach, in line with President Putin’s announcement last week that Russia would achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060.

UN Climate Conference 2021: China

Ruth Jones: To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the implications for the outcomes of the COP26 summit of President Xi of China's decision not to attend that summit.

Alok Sharma: As hosts of COP26, we strongly encourage leaders to attend given this is a critical moment for the future of our planet. The Prime Minister is looking forward to meeting all the leaders who have confirmed attendance – over 120 so far.We look forward to working with the delegation from China to bring key negotiations issues to a constructive conclusion at COP26, and to ambitious announcements from China to help keep 1.5C in reach, in line with President Xi’s announcement last year that China would achieve climate neutrality by 2060.

Climate Change

Helen Hayes: To ask the President of COP26, what steps he is taking to place pressure on the most-polluting countries to commit to keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Alok Sharma: Under the Paris Agreement, all parties committed to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. As the incoming COP Presidency, the UK has been pressing all leaders to raise ambition on reducing their emissions ahead of COP26, through a programme of regular engagement and events, including through the G7 and G20.Under the UK G7 Presidency, all G7 countries have now increased the ambition of their NDCs and committed to net zero by 2050 at the latest. Additionally since taking office, I have made 41 visits to 33 countries, including many major emitters, and engaged directly with over 100 ministers from over 65 countries to encourage ambitious climate action. So far, 122 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have now been submitted to the UNFCCC, representing around 55% of global emissions. We continue to call on all countries that have not yet done so to put forward ambitious new NDCs and Long Term Strategies ahead of COP26.

UN Climate Conference 2021: Finance

Ian Murray: To ask the President of COP26, how much additional funding has been allocated to the Scottish Government for the potential costs of hosting COP26 in Glasgow.

Ian Murray: To ask the President of COP26, whether the UK Government and Scottish Government have agreed how additional funding provided in order to assist with the impact of COP26 will be allocated.

Ian Murray: To ask the President of COP26, whether the Government has allocated additional funding to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to respond to the potential health effects of the COP26 summit being hosted in Glasgow.

Ian Murray: To ask the President of COP26,  how much additional funding has been provided for policing of the COP26 event in Glasgow.

Ian Murray: To ask the President of COP26, how much additional funding was provided for Glasgow City Council to assist with the effects of hosting COP26 in Glasgow.

Alok Sharma: The amount of funding provided by the UK Government through the Cabinet Office to Scottish Government Agencies is not yet finalised, as costs are still being incurred. All approved actual costs will be reimbursed following the event, in line with our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Scottish Government.NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Police Scotland, are two of the agencies covered by the MOU, and approved actual costs will be covered by the COP26 budget.Similarly, Glasgow City Council will be reimbursed for approved actual costs, which will not be known until after the event.

UN Climate Conference 2021: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the President of COP26, what arrangements have been made to provide (a) financial and (b) practical support to COP26 delegates from countries in the global South very recently removed from the covid-19 red list, who were in the group eligible for funding for required managed quarantine stays and who now have no accommodation in Glasgow for between five and 10 days, depending on their vaccination status, because their accommodation arrangements were made prior to their countries removal from the covid-19 red list, and who will otherwise find it difficult to attend COP26; and if he will make a statement.

Alok Sharma: When the red list changed on 7 October, there were 280 managed quarantine bookings made by COP26 participants through the bespoke COP26 booking system. We have engaged with all of the individuals that booked and gave a country of departure that is no longer on the red list.The UNFCCC Trust Fund for Participants, to which the UK Government contributes, has paid for the costs of necessary flight changes for funded delegates.We are continuing to fund managed quarantine stays for all COP26 participants, including party delegates, media and observers that would otherwise find it difficult to attend COP26.

Developing Countries: Debts

Clive Lewis: To ask the President of COP26, what plans he has to take forward discussions on debt from the March 2021 Climate and Development Ministerial meeting as part of the programme for COP26.

Alok Sharma: Fiscal space and debt sustainability was one of four key themes I took forward at the Climate and Development Ministerial in March. I have continued to prioritise this issue, for example in engagements with the IMF, World Bank and climate vulnerable countries, and welcome progress has been made.Since March, the G20 and Paris Club have agreed to a further, final extension of the Debt-Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which is providing much needed short-term fiscal space to help countries tackle the immediate effects of the pandemic and avoid a worsening of debt problems. The G20 and the Paris Club have also continued implementation of the Common Framework for Debt Treatments, designed to provide a more long-term solution to debt vulnerabilities.The IMF have implemented a historic $650bn allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), which will boost global liquidity and provide fiscal space, and G7 Leaders agreed to magnify the impact of this allocation by considering options for voluntary SDR channelling to developing and vulnerable countries.Finally, the UK-led G7 Private Sector Working Group is also exploring the development and use of Climate Resilient Debt Instruments (CRDIs) that quickly suspend debt service repayments following a pre-defined climate-related event or shock.

Prime Minister

Internet: Safety

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Prime Minister, what steps the Government is taking to deliver on its commitment to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.

Boris Johnson: I have been clear that we need to work at pace to deliver the Online Safety Bill. We have already published the draft Online Safety Bill. It is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament. The Committee is due to report in mid-December. It is right that we fully consider any recommendations it makes, following which we will then introduce and progress the Bill at the earliest opportunity.